We come now to the recent agenda mechanism:
The risk of GBV [gender based violence] must be assessed for all destination countries, whether or not they are in situations of conflict, and whether or not they are partners or developed countries. There is a misconception that most GBV happens in conflict situations. Of the 25 countries with the highest rates of women killed by armed violence, only Colombia, the Philippines, and the Russian Federation are currently affected by conflict. idib. If small arms production worldwide miraculously came to an abrupt halt, official stockpiles were made totally secure, and all security forces surplus weapons were destroyed, the enormous numbers of firearms in circulation—particularly among civilians—could continue to facilitate high levels of gun violence for many years if access to ammunition remains unabated. The Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects cannot achieve its objectives without including ammunition in its scope. from http://www.iansa.org/system/files/IANSA%20Ammunition%20in%20POA%20ENG.pdf "This report is about the effective implementation of the 2013 Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and the 2001 UN Programme of Action on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons (UNPoA) in regards to preventing gender-based violence (GBV) and gender discrimination in disarmament and arms control processes. The objective of this report is to provide tools and guidelines for effective implementation of the ATT and the UNPoA, including how to conduct an export risk assessment on GBV and how to enhance gender mainstreaming in disarmament and arms control. The legal arms trade fuels the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. ATT and UNPoA implementation must form part of an integrated approach to prevent GBV. Importing states must strengthen both import controls and national small arms control efforts, while exporting states must assess importing states’ implementation of the UNPoA in their risk assessment under the ATT. Effective implementation of the UNPoA will reduce the availability of guns and therefore help prevent GBV." from paper here: http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/images/documents/Publications/preventing-gbv.pdf ----------------- The fact that "GBV" isn't actually a part of the documents which they presume to launch off of is another issue.* * "While the UNPoA itself makes no mention of gender, and references women only once in the preamble, it does commit states to make "greater efforts to address problems related to human and sustainable development" (III. 17) and to promote conflict prevention and address its root causes (III.4), which should include promoting gender equality and preventing GBV." p 48 As to further specific language : "Are there vetting systems for the acquisition of firearms or the enrolment of private security companies and do they include background checks on GBV or psychological tests that would take into account risk of GBV?" p.44 "Is there a coordination of policies and legislation on GBV and on the possession of firearms? " "Are there mandatory firearms (private or official) removals by justice and police officers for suspects of GBV if they possess a firearm?" "Have mechanisms, including disciplinary and penal sanctions, been put in place to ensure accountability for acts of GBV committed by the armed forces and other arms bearers? " "Are there laws, policies, and implementation mechanisms to strictly regulate the sale, transfer, and use of imported arms, including obligations to record, report, and document such acts?" "What is the recipient’s capacity to ensure that the arms or equipment transferred are used in a manner consistent with international law relevant to women’s rights and are not diverted or transferred to other destinations where they might be used for serious violations of this law?" "Are members of security services (including police, military, and private security companies) allowed to bring their service weapons home?" Importing states must strengthen both import controls and national small arms control efforts, while exporting states must assess importing states’ implementation of the UNPoA in their risk assessment under the ATT. Effective implementation of the UNPoA will reduce the availability of guns and therefore help prevent GBV. Registration of firearms is essential for police to be able to effectively remove guns in situations of intimate partner violence and enforce prohibition orders. p 50 II. 41. To promote dialogue and a culture of peace by encouraging, as appropriate, education and public awareness programmes on the problems of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects, involving all sectors of society . [Underlining is theirs in the quote of the original text] In the end, it is up to licensing and export officials, as well as relevant government ministries, to make the call as to whether or not weapons will be transferred. These entities must include the prevention of GBV in their assessments in order to be in compliance with the ATT. Dear end-user : Where in this language do you find comfort in the claimed limitation to top-end-users, ie. only countries and rogue militaries, and not you the citizen?
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