The 2001 United Nations conference on the Illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects

Since the 1990’S, small arms and light weapons have become the primary instruments of killing and violence in inter-State and intra-State conflicts. It is estimated that these weapons are responsible for 500,000 deaths each year and the displacement of much more civilians around the world. The illicit manufacture, transfer and circulation of small arms and light weapons and their excessive accumulation and uncontrolled spread in many regions of the world sustain conflicts, exacerbate violence, undermine respect for international humanitarian law, impede the provision of humanitarian assistance to victims of armed conflict and fuel crime and terrorism. They have a wide range of humanitarian and socio-economic consequences and pose a serious threat to peace, reconciliation, safety, security, stability and sustainable development at the individual, local, national, regional and international levels. Some regions of the world are more affected by the scourge of these weapons, particularly Africa.

Related Subject(s): Disarmament