MISSING PIECES - Inter-Parliamentary Union

THEME 2
‘Misuse’
How/why
do armed
groups
misuse
weapons?
Lack of respect for human
rights and IHL norms
Lack of accountability
Due or in response to abuses
committed by government or
opposing forces
Linked to criminal activities
Engage with groups to increase
awareness of and respect for
international law, especially
standards for civilian protection,
for example, by facilitating
training programmes and
information exchange
Publicise abuses, to bring
pressure to bear on the armed
group
Find ways for non-state actors
to agree to instruments on
human rights and IHL; child
soldiers protocol; landmines
treaty
Bring the leaders of groups
responsible for gross abuses
of human rights and IHL to
justice where appropriate and
feasible through special tribunals
and the International
Criminal Court
Ensure impartiality in approach,
by giving sufficient weight
and attention to government
abuses; UN Special Rapporteurs,
independent commissions,
or ombudsmen can
play a useful role in identifying
issues and options for
action
Strengthen the justice and
security sectors
Empower the communities to
enter into dialogue with the
armed groups and armed
gangs living in their midst,
through dialogue and
community-based security
building
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