PRESS RELEASE

23 March1998

International NGOs Propel Light Weapons Control Up The Global Agenda

The British American Security Information Council (BASIC) is releasing a series of groundbreaking reports detailing options to reduce the daily death toll from indiscriminate and unlawful use of small arms.

Small arms and light weapons are estimated to be responsible for around 90% of casualties in today’s armed conflicts. Most of the victims of these weapons are civilians: women, children and refugees. In response to this growing humanitarian disaster, pressure is mounting from NGOs, grassroots organizations and governments to stem the killing by curbing the trade in light weapons.

Non-governmental coalitions have spurred governments into action, and today initiatives are underway from the governments of Mali, Mexico, South Africa, UK, Belgium, Canada, and Norway. Campaigning initiatives include the Nobel Laureates Code of Conduct, as well as regional Codes under consideration in the US Congress and the European Union.

The G8 summit in May, which will include discussion of illicit firearms trafficking, is likely to act as a focus for the growing global momentum towards light weapons control. In conjunction with NGOs worldwide, BASIC is sponsoring a multi-capital press briefing on May 5 on illicit weapons trafficking, and is working to secure strong action during the summit on May 15-16.

BASIC’s recent research and forthcoming publications provide key background information on these global initiatives and on the small arms trade, and outline detailed policy recommendations to stop the damage inflicted by light weapons.

Already available:

Combating Illicit Light Weapons Trafficking: Developments and Opportunities, BASIC Research Report 98.1. This report recommends policies for a more coherent and comprehensive approach to light weapons. Proposed controls on illicit trafficking include destruction of weapons collected, codes of conduct, stronger domestic gun control, marking and registering of weapons and enhanced cooperation on law enforcement.

April Publications:

Deadly Rounds: Ammunition in Armed Conflict This report discusses the link between ammunition and armed conflict and explores ammunition production, trade routes, and the negative effects of ammunition supply on stability and security. Strategies for controlling ammunition address the legal and illicit trade of ammunition, and recommendations for future ammunition studies are offered.

Light Weapons in Africa and Central America. New studies on conflict and light weapons proliferation in Southern Africa and Central America by Alex Vines of Human Rights Watch and Chris Louise of International Alert.

Options for Control by the G8 States. Written by Amnesty International, BASIC, International Alert, Oxfam, and Saferworld, this report will stress the need to broaden the G8 illicit trafficking agenda from firearms in crime to light weapons of regions of conflict.

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