Difference between revisions of "Curb Illicit Arms Transfers (failed)"

Revision as of 02:32, 29 December 2004

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

CONSIDERING that the illicit traffic in small arms impedes development, constitutes a threat to populations and security, and contributes to the destabilization of States;

RECOGNIZING the suffering caused by illicit trafficking in small arms and that States bear the obligation to bolster their efforts in developing practical ways of addressing the problem;

REAFFIRMING the right to individual or collective self-defense recognized in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations implying that States have the right to acquire arms for defense;

REITERATING the importance of the right of self-determination of all peoples, especially under alien domination or foreign occupation;

CONVINCED of the need for a thorough approach to control and reduce small arms and light weapons in a balanced manner to ensure international peace and security;

1. ADOPTS the following recommendations for the curbing of illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons with respect to the definitions of this weaponry articulated in the annex of this resolution;

2. REQUESTS the Secretary-General continue to consider the matter and report to it at its subsequent sessions on the implementation of this resolution and to seek and consider the views of all Member States on the objective, scope, agenda, dates and venue of an international conference on the illicit arms trade;

3. DECIDES to convene an international conference on all aspects of the illicit arms trade no later than 2005;

4. WELCOMES the offer by the Government of Galdago to host in Coronada, no later than 2005, an international conference on all aspects of the illicit arms trade;

5. ENCOURAGES the establishment of national programmes to combat the illicit transfer of small arms and ensure the collection thereof within the suggested parameters of paragraph 6 and invites the international community and the Secretary general to render technical and financial support to strengthen the ability of States to take these actions;

6. RECOMMENDS that participating States should implement programmes of action which would:
   1. employ regulations to control the production of small arms and light weapons within their jurisdiction, and over the export, import, transit or retransfer of such weapons;

   2. generate agencies responsible for policy guidance of efforts to prevent illicit trade, including aspects of illicit manufacture, control, trafficking, circulation, brokering, trade, as well as tracing, finance, collection and destruction of small arms;

   3. ensure responsibility for all small arms held and issued by the state and create measures for tracing such weapons;

   4. and enact, where possible, effective disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes, including effective collection, control, storage and destruction of small arms, particularly in post-conflict zones, as well as address the special needs of children affected by armed conflict.

ANNEX

DEFINITIONS

In the present resolution and its aspects:

• Small arms means man-portable firearms and their ammunition primarily designed for individual use by military forces as lethal weapons; the term shall be used interchangeably to also denote the aggregate of small arms and light weapons;

• Light weapons means some man-portable firearms and their ammunition, light artillery guns and rockets, and guided missiles for use against armored vehicles, aircraft, or fortifications.

Votes For: 6110

Votes Against: 9432

Voting Ended: Tue Jun 10 2003

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