斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所-ATT_28页_759kb

Summary of ATT-Related Activities in Latin America and the Caribbean

Core Content

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which entered into force on 24 December 2014, is the first international legally binding agreement to regulate the trade in conventional arms and prevent their illicit diversion. It complements the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (UN POA) and includes provisions on international cooperation and assistance, which are crucial for the effective implementation of the treaty. Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have been strong supporters of the ATT and have a long-standing engagement with arms transfer and small arms and light weapons (SALW) control instruments.

Main Points

• Challenges in the Region: LAC states face significant issues related to the illicit trade in SALW, including leakages from national stockpiles, the ant trade (smuggling of small quantities of weapons across borders), and the growing influence of private security companies (PSCs), which often have greater access to firearms than the public sector.

• Impact of SALW: The region accounts for 32% of global homicides, with SALW being the primary weapon used in most of these cases. The ant trade has been identified as a major contributor to this problem, with many illicit firearms in Mexico and the Caribbean originating from the U.S.

• Private Security Companies (PSCs): PSCs are increasingly prevalent in LAC, with some countries having a PSC-to-police ratio exceeding 5:1. These companies often have limited oversight, leading to a high risk of illicit firearms proliferation.

• Arms Production and Exports: LAC countries, particularly Brazil and Chile, have developed indigenous arms production capacities and export activities, contributing to the domestic production of illicit SALW. This underscores the need for robust national arms transfer control systems.

• Regional Instruments: LAC has developed several regional and subregional instruments to address arms transfer and SALW control, including the Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms (CIFTA), the Andean Plan, and the OAS Transparency Convention. However, compliance with these instruments is often weak, and implementation has been inconsistent.

• Coordination Gaps: Despite efforts to support ATT implementation, there are gaps and overlaps in the types of assistance provided. This can lead to inefficiencies and duplication, especially for states with limited resources.

Key Information

• ATT-Focused Activities: These are aimed at assisting partner states with ratification and implementation of the ATT.

• ATT-Relevant Activities: These address arms transfer and SALW control issues but are not specifically aimed at ATT implementation.

• Mapping Database: SIPRI and the UN Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) have created a database mapping ATT-related assistance activities in the region, covering the period 2012–2016.

• Gaps in Assistance: The paper identifies gaps in assistance types and proposes mechanisms for better coordination among states, NGOs, and international bodies.

• Recommendations: The paper calls for improved coordination, targeted assistance, and enhanced mechanisms for matching needs with resources in ATT implementation.

Structure of the Report

• Section II: Outlines the challenges in arms transfer and SALW controls in LAC, including leakages, ant trade, PSCs, and arms production/exports.

• Section III: Summarizes the areas requiring assistance in implementing the ATT and provides details on the mapping study scope.

• Section IV: Analyzes ATT-focused and ATT-relevant cooperation and assistance activities in LAC, broken down by subregions (Central America and Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America).

• Section V: Presents key conclusions and recommendations, emphasizing the need for coordination and targeted support.

Conclusion

The Arms Trade Treaty and related SALW control instruments are essential tools for reducing armed violence in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, effective implementation requires targeted assistance and strong coordination. The paper highlights the need for better alignment of efforts to avoid duplication and ensure sustainable improvements in arms control systems.