MISSING PIECES - Inter-Parliamentary Union

MISSING PIECES
the UN process on small arms control. Aimed at government officials engaged
in the UN process on small arms control, it was distributed to over
3,000 individuals and organisations in four languages.
This success, as well as the recognition of the unique and pivotal role that
parliamentary action can play in addressing the complex phenomenon
of gun violence, prompted us to produce a new version which includes:
• updated information
• additional examples of action particularly at a national level
• profiles of the parliamentary leadership from around the world to
address armed violence
The text was adapted together with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and
presented in draft form to its 115 th Assembly in October 2006. It was then
finalised based on comments received by the Bureau of the First Standing
Committee as well as other parliamentarians.
THE GLOBAL RESPONSE TO ARMED VIOLENCE
The world has been slow to react to what is sometimes called a “global
pandemic”. Only in 2001 did the international community adopt the UN
Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in
Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (hereafter referred to as the
Programme of Action or simply the PoA). This politically-binding instrument
spells out a number of commitments that governments have made,
including regulating small arms transfers and brokering activities; criminalising
the illegal manufacture, possession, stockpiling and trade of small
arms and light weapons; ensuring that weapons be marked and registered;
enforcing arms embargoes; destroying surplus and confiscated weapons; raising
public awareness; and implementing disarmament, demobilisation and
reintegration programmes. (See Annex 2 for the full text of the PoA.)
Collectively referred to as the UN process on small arms control, there
have been a set of UN-led meetings since 2001 to gauge implementation
progress and areas for further attention. In mid-2006 a review conference
was held to further reflect on progress and set future goals and targets. It
regrettably failed to conclude any outcome document or provide guidance
on the next cycle of implementation of the Programme of Action. The gathering
and preparations for the conference did however enable participants,
including numerous civil society organisations and parliamentarians, to
take stock of the progress since 2001 and the gaps that require further
attention.
10