Topic: Combating the Spread of Small Arms and Light Weapons
Country: Chad
Delegate Name: Henry Atkins
School: Grand Rapids City High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Chad position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
Today, small arms and light weapons (SALWs) hugely destabilize governments, threaten the international order, and kill millions. The relatively small nature of these weapons belies their true capacity for destruction and it is of the utmost importance that the United Nations develop a reasonable mechanism to limit non-state actors’ access to them. This problem, increasingly prevalent in the post-Cold War era, occurs due to the ease with which non-state actors are able to gain access to small arms and light weapons such as assault rifles, machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. These weapons are relatively portable, lightweight, and inexpensive while also being capable of inflicting catastrophic loss of life. Today, more than 500,000 people die each year due to small arms and light weapons, representing 90% of civilian deaths in conflict zones. Furthermore, the prevalence of these weapons appears to be increasing at an alarming rate due to global arms production as well as inabilities to combat illicit trade of SALWs: in the period from 1990-2006, there were 49 armed conflicts. Of these, 46 were dominated by small arms and light weapons. Furthermore, the rate of casualties is on the increase relative to 1990, before many stockpiles of weapons became more accessible following the collapse of the Soviet Union. From 1990 to 2006, small arms and light weapons caused the deaths of four million people. However, as mentioned above, today they kill 500,000 a year–double the previous average amount. At this meeting, we must find ways to combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons if we hope to reduce this shocking amount of deaths and stabilize regions.
This problem was acknowledged in Security Council Resolutions 1013, 1161, 1170 and 1209, all of which expressed alarm at the growing illicit arms trade and advised affected states to take action to control access to SALWs. In 2001, the United Nations adopted the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects. Boldly, the Programme of Action stated member states’ plan to cut down on the SALW trade through a variety of means. Measures enumerated within the text of the Programme of Action include increased control of production, import, and export of SALWs, the establishment of national coordination agencies to make the effort more efficient, improved weapon marking control and information gathering, commitments to destroy surplus SALWs, and providing mechanisms for forces to demobilize after periods of conflict. At the 2012 Review Conference on Illicit Arms Trade, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson noted that many countries were effectively dealing with SALWs through national legislation as well as increased arms depot security. On behalf of the General Assembly President, Milan Jaya Nyamrajsingh Meetarbhan of Mauritius further noted that most members had established national coordinating agencies and many expressed willingness to aid other countries with technical issues. Overall, 161 member countries had submitted reports on their efforts every year since 2002. In addition, members praised the efforts of regional agencies designed to combat the SALW trade, such as the Nairobi Protocol. However, members also noted problems with implementation of the Programme of Action. In a report titled “A Decade of Implementing the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons: Analysis of National Reports,” disarmament researcher Sarah Parker noted that 20% of member states had no controls on SALW manufacturing, along with a host of other issues. Clearly, there are improvements that must be made at the present meeting.
The Republic of Chad has suffered terribly from these deadly weapons. A long, costly battle against terrorists from 2005-2011 cost this nation thousands of lives and produced 168,000 refugees. Today, our neighbors are consumed with violence: Sudan’s ongoing conflict in Darfur, the desperate struggle against Boko Haram in Nigeria and Cameroon, the ethnic violence that threatens the very survival of the Central African Republic as a nation-state, and the contest for Libya between fractious militia coalitions all take place on the Republic of Chad’s borders. This nation has offered a generous open-door policy to those fleeing violence and persecution–however, harboring nearly 540,000 refugees strains this nation’s ability to provide for its own people. The Republic of Chad remains committed, both inside and outside of its borders, to reduce the ease of acquisition of small arms and light weapons by non-state actors. Firmly, the Republic calls on the United Nations to develop a swift and comprehensive plan to aid the implementation of the 2001 Programme of Action. Several areas have been identified as needing strong improvement. For example, just 40% of member nations mark their weapons during the manufacturing process. It is clear that stronger regulations are needed to ensure that this does not continue. Overall, the Republic of Chad wishes to see an agreement that addresses lack of funding that some nations need for these programs, raises prices in buyback programs to incentivize non-state actors to hand over their arms, decreases production of weapons and a stronger effort toward removing these weapons immediately after conflicts end.
Every proposal will have its opponents, and the Republic of Chad expects opposition from those countries which actively benefit from proliferation of weapons. Sadly, some countries remain more interested in destabilizing neighbors or engaging in proxy wars than in legitimate efforts to limit the production and distribution of these deadly materials. The Republic of Chad hopes to develop strong partnerships on this issue with those nations that have aggressively dealt with limiting the small arms and light weapons trade in the past. This delegation expects to work with nations such as the United States, which states that “The proliferation of conventional weapons…poses a direct threat to the national security of the United States,” and Australia, which agrees that “Australia and other members of the international community recognise the need for early, concerted action to address the problems posed by small arms and light weapons.” The Republic of Chad will speak strongly for the need to address the spread of these weapons which threaten the stability not just of any single country, but of the entire world. Optimistically, the Republic of Chad looks forward to the chance to develop stronger implementation and enforcement measures at this meeting.
