08.07.2014 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

180<br />

International regulations on the transport <strong>of</strong> dangerous goods<br />

• New tracing techniques have been developed with the introduction <strong>of</strong><br />

electronic chips that contain notably the serial number. Packaging<br />

bearing these chips can be located at any time by radio transmission.<br />

<strong>The</strong> OAS Convention<br />

• <strong>The</strong> States parties shall cooperate at the bilateral, regional <strong>and</strong><br />

international levels to prevent, combat <strong>and</strong> eradicate the illicit<br />

manufacturing <strong>of</strong> <strong>and</strong> trafficking in firearms, ammunition, explosives<br />

<strong>and</strong> other related materials (Article XIV.1.);<br />

• <strong>The</strong> States parties shall cooperate in the tracing <strong>of</strong> firearms,<br />

ammunition, explosives <strong>and</strong> other related materials which may have<br />

been illicitly manufactured or trafficked. Such cooperation includes<br />

accurate <strong>and</strong> prompt responses to tracing requests (Article XIII. 3.);<br />

• <strong>The</strong> States parties shall af<strong>for</strong>d one another the widest mutual legal<br />

assistance, in con<strong>for</strong>mity with their domestic law <strong>and</strong> applicable<br />

treaties, by promptly <strong>and</strong> accurately processing <strong>and</strong> responding to<br />

requests from authorities which, in accordance with their domestic law,<br />

have the power to investigate or prosecute illicit activities (Article<br />

XVII.1.). In this context, the States parties shall appoint a national body<br />

or a single point <strong>of</strong> contact to act as liaison among States parties, as well<br />

as between them <strong>and</strong> the Consultative Committee established in article<br />

XX, <strong>for</strong> purposes <strong>of</strong> cooperation <strong>and</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation exchange (Article<br />

XIV.2.);<br />

• <strong>The</strong> States parties shall exchange relevant in<strong>for</strong>mation concerning the<br />

routes customarily used by traffickers in firearms, ammunition or<br />

explosives (Article XIII.1.c), concerning the authorized manufacturers,<br />

brokers, importers <strong>and</strong> exporters, <strong>and</strong> whenever possible, carriers<br />

(Article XIII.1.a);<br />

• <strong>The</strong> States parties shall cooperate with each other <strong>and</strong> with competent<br />

international organizations to ensure that their personnel is adequately<br />

trained on all the aspects relating to traceability (Article XV.2.);<br />

• Subject to the obligations imposed by their Constitutions or any<br />

international agreements, the States parties shall guarantee the<br />

confidentiality <strong>of</strong> any in<strong>for</strong>mation they receive if the State supplying the<br />

in<strong>for</strong>mation so requests. If, <strong>for</strong> legal reasons, such confidentiality<br />

cannot be maintained, the State party that provided the in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />

must be notified prior to its disclosure (Article XII).

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!