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 ...
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
39<br />
International ef<strong>for</strong>ts to develop <strong>and</strong> strengthen the tracing <strong>of</strong> illicit small<br />
arms can build capacity to conduct criminal investigations <strong>and</strong> successfully<br />
prosecute cases. <strong>The</strong>y can also help States <strong>and</strong> international organizations<br />
to identify <strong>and</strong> monitor sources <strong>and</strong> supply routes <strong>for</strong> illicit small arms, <strong>and</strong><br />
to take action to prevent or disrupt such supply—including supply to<br />
conflict zones <strong>and</strong> States under arms embargo. This latter aspect is<br />
especially important <strong>for</strong> a tracing mechanism situated within the framework<br />
<strong>of</strong> the UN Programme <strong>of</strong> Action.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are many issues that need to be addressed in designing <strong>and</strong><br />
developing an effective international mechanism <strong>for</strong> tracing illicit SALW.<br />
<strong>The</strong> improvement <strong>of</strong> systems <strong>for</strong> marking, record-keeping <strong>and</strong> tracing is a<br />
continuous task. Nevertheless, there are important opportunities <strong>for</strong> moving<br />
rapidly towards the establishment <strong>of</strong> an international tracing mechanism. It<br />
is hoped that this study will serve as a useful resource to the international<br />
community as it seeks to take advantage <strong>of</strong> these opportunities in the<br />
coming months <strong>and</strong> years.<br />
Notes<br />
1<br />
<strong>The</strong> members <strong>of</strong> the SAS/UNIDIR Study Group were: Peter Batchelor;<br />
Ilhan Berkol; Christophe Carle; Owen Greene; Michael Hallowes;<br />
Keith Krause; Patricia Lewis; Glenn McDonald; Frédéric Schütz; Gary<br />
Thomas; <strong>and</strong> Michel Wéry. All members <strong>of</strong> the Group participated in<br />
their personal capacities; their views did not necessarily coincide with<br />
those <strong>of</strong> their organizations. In addition, Nadia Fischer, Olivier Guerot,<br />
René Haug, Ambassador Rakesh Sood <strong>and</strong> Stefano Toscano<br />
contributed valuably to the discussions at a meeting <strong>of</strong> the Study Group<br />
in April 2002.<br />
2<br />
<strong>The</strong> technical papers prepared <strong>for</strong> the SAS/UNIDIR Study Group were:<br />
Michael Hallowes, Marking <strong>and</strong> Record-Keeping Systems <strong>and</strong><br />
Modalities <strong>of</strong> Operation; Gary L. Thomas, Structures <strong>and</strong> Institutions<br />
Necessary to Support the Effective Operation <strong>of</strong> a Firearms <strong>Tracing</strong><br />
<strong>Mechanism</strong>; Frédéric Schütz, What to mark <strong>and</strong> what to trace? <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Implications</strong> <strong>of</strong> Selecting Categories <strong>and</strong> Types <strong>of</strong> SALW <strong>for</strong> Inclusion in<br />
a <strong>Tracing</strong> <strong>Mechanism</strong>; Michel Wéry <strong>and</strong> Ilhan Berkol, Traceability <strong>of</strong><br />
Light <strong>Arms</strong>: a comparison <strong>of</strong> the main existing international<br />
mechanisms.