The Scope and Implications of a Tracing Mechanism for Small Arms ...

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party guarantees its confidentiality and complies with any restrictions
regarding its use, if requested to do so (Article 12.5.).
The UN Programme of Action
• At the global level, the States undertake to strengthen their ability to
cooperate in order to identify and trace illicit SALW in a timely and
reliable manner (Article II. 36.);
• The States undertake to cooperate with each other (…) and, where
appropriate, with relevant international, regional and
intergovernmental organizations in tracing illicit SALW, in particular by
strengthening mechanisms based on the exchange of relevant
information (Article III. 11.);
• The States undertake to establish or designate, where appropriate, a
point of contact at the national level to act as liaison between States on
matters relating to the implementation of the UN Programme of Action
(Article II.5.);
• The States undertake to establish or designate, where appropriate,
points of contact within sub-regional and regional organizations to act
as liaison on matters relating to the implementation of the UN
Programme of Action (Article II. 24.). All the information is collated and
circulated by the UN Secretary-General (Article II.33.);
• The States voluntarily submit to relevant regional and international
organizations, particularly the information relating to the routes used by
traffickers (Article II.23.);
• The States undertake to establish, where appropriate, sub-regional and
regional mechanisms, and in particular to set up networks for
information-sharing among law enforcement, border controls and
customs agencies (Article II.27.);
• The States, the World Customs Organization, and other relevant
organizations are encouraged to enhance their cooperation with
Interpol 43 in order to identify the groups and individuals engaged in the
illicit trade of small arms in all its aspects (Article II. 37).
The Plastics Explosives Convention
• Contains no provisions relating to information exchange to allow for
tracing. There are, however, provisions relative to the exchange of
information with respect to national practices, with a view to facilitating
harmonization (Articles 8.2. and 9).