By Holy See Mission
Statement by H.E. Archbishop Celestino MiglioreApostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy
See to the United NationsSecond Biennial Meeting of States to Considerthe Implementation of the Programme of Action toPrevent, Combat and Eradicatethe Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons
in All Its AspectsNew York, 11 July 2005Mr. Chairman,
The Programme
of Action, adopted in 2001 to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in
small arms and light weapons in all its aspects at the national, regional and
global levels, is the first UN-level document intended to identify steps that
States may take to confront this question.
This meeting
is an opportunity to review the realisation of the Plan of Action and see if it
is still the cornerstone it should be of the new international legal framework
for the control of small arms and light weapons. The efforts made by the
open-ended Working Group to negotiate an international instrument to enable
States to identify and trace, in a timely and reliable manner, illicit small
arms and light weapons, do appear for now to head in that direction.
Such a regime
is yet another step towards the effective promotion both of human rights and of
humanitarian law, able to "enhance the respect for life and the dignity of the
human person through the promotion of a culture of peace", as underlined by the
Programme of Action itself.
Thanks also to
the process launched at the UN, there appears to be a growing international
awareness of this complex question. Since 2001, there has been an accumulation
of information, experience and best practices in this field; what is more, civil
society and various NGOs have also played an important role in this regard and
continue to do so. Nevertheless, given the need for an approach that is both
multidimensional and multidisciplinary, greater international cooperation will
be needed in order to block effectively the spread and availability of the arms
under discussion.
These efforts
should be made in line with the indications found in the Secretary-General's
report In Larger Freedom, which rightly urges the adoption of a more
comprehensive concept of collective security, one that will tackle new threats
and old and that will address the security concerns of all States, since the
threats we face are clearly interconnected. Threats to the poor will undoubtedly
leave the rich vulnerable too.
It is not hard
to apply such an assessment to the question at hand. International efforts to
control the illicit trade of small arms fall perfectly in line with the
Secretary-General's judgement that there can be "no development without security
and no security without development".
The illicit
trade in small arms and light weapons is an obvious threat to peace,
development and security. That is why the Holy See adds its voice to the calls
for a common approach, not only towards the illicit trade in small arms but also
to related activities, such as terrorism, organised crime and the trafficking
in persons, to say nothing of the illicit trade in drugs or other lucrative
commodities.
Furthermore,
as well as considering the illicit offer of arms, we must also be mindful of the
dynamics of the demand for arms. This part of the equation also requires further
research, and demands of the international community a concerted and serious
effort to promote a culture of peace among all members of our respective
societies.
Yet another
aspect which the Holy See considers important is the special needs of children
affected by armed conflict, as described in the Plan of Action. Children need
to be considered in programmes of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration
(DDR), in post-conflict situations, in peacekeeping and peacebuilding, and in
development programmes, through community-based approaches.
In this sense,
the Holy See supports the Secretary-General's remarks found in his February
report on small arms and light weapons, where he suggests that DDR must also
address the needs of former combatants, including women and children, and
receiving communities.
Long term
strategies will need to be developed, which include the aim of halting the
scourge of the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons, in order
to promote peace and security, both internally and externally. The Holy See is
convinced that investment in prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and
peacebuilding has the potential to save millions of lives.
Finally, the
international community would do well to consider seriously a debate on the
creation of an arms trade treaty, based on the best principles of international
law on human rights and humanitarian law. Such an instrument could help
contribute to the eradication of the illicit arms trade, while underlining the
responsibility of States to reinforce the Plan of Action under discussion today.
Thank you, Mr
Chairman.
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