Topic: Combating the Illicit Small Arms Trade
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Adam Puja
School: Williamston High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United Kingdom position papers GLIMUN 2012 committees
Small weapons’ trafficking is a major issue in the present world today. Small weapons, in the hands of criminals and terrorists, have the capacity to kill dozens of innocent people. Between 300,000 and 500,000 innocent civilians are killed due to small weapons and their trafficking. It is horrendous that illegal weapon traffickers can reap profits of over 160 million dollars a year. Small weapons’ trafficking does more than just arm criminals and terrorists. Small arms trafficking can destabilize regions, spark and fuel violence, and undermine peace initiatives.
The United Kingdom realizes that we are the 4th largest exporter of small arms. However, the exportation of small arms is merely a method of boosting our economy. The United Kingdom is certain that the nations we export small arms to are our allies and will use these weapons for defensive purposes. The United Kingdom does not support the illicit trade of small arms to terrorist groups, such as Al- Qaeda, and is willing to help reduce the volume of weapons circulated throughout nations.
The United Kingdom has already proposed a committee mandated to combat the illicit trafficking within our nation. The United Kingdom has also secured agreements with the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to help combat and eliminate illicit trafficking throughout Europe. However, more needs to be done in order to reduce the amount of guns in circulation. The United Kingdom proposes that the UN should focus on nations that have problems concerning small arms violence and trafficking. The ultimate goal is to bring stability to these countries, and the way the UN should do this is with improving defense, development, law enforcement, and trade. The United Kingdom realizes that an agreement to control small arms trade will have little impact unless it is matched with efforts to collect and destroy weapons in circulation. Also, nations must provide disarmament and rehabilitation for the combatants and victims of small arms firing.
