Topic: Combating the Spread of Small Arms and Light Weapons
Country: Luxembourg
Delegate Name: Tanvi Sharma
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Luxembourg position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
Luxembourg understands that dealing with the international small arms and light weapons trade is critical for safety of people around the world. Small arms and light weapons can be used to violate human rights, and can have especially negative effects on the world’s women and children. We believe that tracking the distribution of these weapons is essential, and that cooperation between states that border each other, as well as between regions, is a crucial step that must be taken. In addition, networks for sharing information would allow these weapons to be much more easily tracked.
There are many efforts that have already been made to reduce the trade of small arms and light weapons, but these efforts can only be effective if the international body allows them to be. Luxembourg believes that states that have not yet ratified treaties dealing with this issue should attempt to do so as quickly as possible. One such treaty is the Arms Trade Treaty, which erases loopholes, help to prevent small arms and light weapons from being used to violate human rights, and assist nations in enforcing laws on the international weapons trade. Another important effort that has been made and should be implemented internationally is the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which takes measures to prevent and eradicate the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons. Luxembourg also believes it important for states on which weapons embargoes have been placed by the Security Council to adhere to these embargoes. This acceptance of already existing measures to prevent the spread of small arms and light weapons would greatly increase global civilian safety.
