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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38<br />
In promoting international assistance, two key challenges are to match<br />
needs with available resources, <strong>and</strong> to ensure appropriate coordination <strong>and</strong><br />
in<strong>for</strong>mation-sharing. Experience shows that this does not happen<br />
automatically. One possibility would be to establish clearing-house<br />
mechanisms, so that potential recipients can more easily identify available<br />
resources <strong>and</strong> vice versa. Another option is to establish international<br />
resource centres, where relevant authorities can go to obtain specialist<br />
advice or resources relating to marking, record-keeping <strong>and</strong> tracing. In<br />
practice, an effective international tracing mechanism would probably be<br />
associated with a number <strong>of</strong> international, regional <strong>and</strong> national resource<br />
centres, such as those in southern Africa, the Americas, <strong>and</strong> Europe,<br />
discussed in sections 1.4 <strong>and</strong> 1.5 above.<br />
1.6.4 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Implications</strong> <strong>of</strong> an International <strong>Tracing</strong> <strong>Mechanism</strong><br />
<strong>for</strong> Illicit SALW<br />
<strong>The</strong> technical studies <strong>for</strong> the UNIDIR/SAS Study Group, together with<br />
this overview paper, have sought to describe <strong>and</strong> clarify existing practices<br />
<strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong>ards relating to marking, record-keeping <strong>and</strong> tracing, <strong>and</strong> to<br />
explore the possible scope <strong>and</strong> contents <strong>of</strong> an international mechanism (or<br />
mechanisms) <strong>for</strong> tracing illicit SALW. It is clear that there are many<br />
challenges to ensuring effective systems <strong>for</strong> marking, record-keeping <strong>and</strong><br />
tracing, <strong>and</strong> also important opportunities to develop <strong>and</strong> strengthen them.<br />
In general, the main obstacles are not technological. Advanced <strong>and</strong><br />
effective techniques <strong>for</strong> marking <strong>and</strong> record-keeping are available <strong>and</strong> there<br />
is experience in using them. <strong>The</strong> challenge <strong>for</strong> all States is to ensure that<br />
decisions are taken <strong>and</strong> resources allocated so as to ensure effective <strong>and</strong><br />
consistent marking, record-keeping <strong>and</strong> tracing at the national, regional <strong>and</strong><br />
international levels. As we have seen, important international <strong>and</strong> regional<br />
norms <strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong>ards have been agreed in recent years—in the UN<br />
Programme <strong>of</strong> Action <strong>and</strong> the UN Firearms Protocol, <strong>and</strong> in such regional<br />
agreements as those <strong>of</strong> the OAS, OSCE <strong>and</strong> SADC. An international<br />
mechanism <strong>for</strong> tracing illicit SALW would build on these—specifically in the<br />
context <strong>of</strong> the UN Programme follow-up—to enable <strong>and</strong> facilitate<br />
international tracing cooperation.<br />
An international tracing mechanism would be no panacea. <strong>The</strong> small<br />
arms problem is exceedingly complex <strong>and</strong> requires measures going far<br />
beyond weapons tracing. Yet, tracing is a key component <strong>of</strong> these ef<strong>for</strong>ts.