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 ...
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sharing at sub-regional, regional <strong>and</strong> international levels should be<br />
encouraged <strong>and</strong> supported.<br />
Possibilities <strong>for</strong> strengthening international st<strong>and</strong>ards in marking <strong>and</strong><br />
record-keeping could be explored during preparations <strong>for</strong> the<br />
establishment <strong>of</strong> the international tracing mechanism. For example, it may<br />
be possible to agree on extending the minimum periods during which<br />
records should be maintained, or to develop broad norms <strong>for</strong> marking<br />
ammunition, parts <strong>and</strong> components, <strong>and</strong> explosives. Clearer undertakings<br />
on the marking <strong>of</strong> unmarked or inadequately marked weapons in <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
stockpiles may also be within easy reach. If agreements on such matters<br />
could be readily achieved, they could <strong>for</strong>m part <strong>of</strong> the future international<br />
tracing mechanism. Otherwise, they could be considered at meetings <strong>of</strong> the<br />
parties following the establishment <strong>of</strong> the mechanism, with guidelines <strong>for</strong><br />
good practice or new st<strong>and</strong>ards included as technical annexes to the<br />
mechanism.<br />
Beyond this, an international consultative or advisory body could be<br />
established to provide technical advice to assist ef<strong>for</strong>ts to improve national<br />
marking, record-keeping <strong>and</strong> tracing systems. 49 Such a body might consist<br />
<strong>of</strong> technical experts from around the world, prepared to advise on<br />
techniques <strong>and</strong> emerging best practices relating to such key issues as: the<br />
marking <strong>of</strong> parts <strong>and</strong> components, ammunition <strong>and</strong> explosives; the placing<br />
<strong>and</strong> organization <strong>of</strong> marks; techniques <strong>for</strong> covert secondary marking <strong>and</strong><br />
other processes to safeguard against ef<strong>for</strong>ts to sanitize marks; the design <strong>and</strong><br />
implementation <strong>of</strong> computerized record-keeping systems, including Webbased<br />
systems; <strong>and</strong> systems <strong>for</strong> the reliable identification <strong>and</strong><br />
communication <strong>of</strong> marks <strong>for</strong> tracing purposes.<br />
1.6.3.3 Promoting International Assistance<br />
<strong>The</strong> UN Programme <strong>of</strong> Action <strong>and</strong> the UN Firearms Protocol both<br />
include undertakings to encourage international assistance to promote<br />
effective implementation <strong>of</strong> these instruments. However, the mechanisms<br />
<strong>and</strong> programmes <strong>for</strong> providing such assistance remain unspecified. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
are many possible sources <strong>of</strong> technical <strong>and</strong> financial assistance, <strong>and</strong> there<br />
are advantages to retaining flexibility. Nevertheless, it may be useful to<br />
establish some specific international measures or programmes to facilitate<br />
assistance.