Preventing diversion of small arms and light weapons

Strengthening border management under the UN Programme of Action

The diversion, illicit trafficking and misuse of small arms and light weapons (SALW) contributes to widespread human suffering and insecurity around the world. Despite international efforts over the past ten years these problems remain massive across much of the world.

This, the latest report in the Biting the Bullet series, by Saferworld and the University of Bradford, focuses on issues and priorities for strengthening border controls, within the wider framework of promoting controls on small arms and light weapons (SALW) flows and preventing diversion. 

The report aims to encourage governmental action and inter-governmental co-operation in the development of effective border controls within the context of implementing the 2001 UN SALW Programme of Action and other relevant regional and international agreements.

It is intended as a specific contribution to discussions on the issue of border controls that will take place during and after the June 2010 Biennial Meeting of States (BMS4) in New York to consider implementation of the UN PoA.

The report focuses on:

• The need for comprehensive measures to prevent SALW

• The importance of effective border controls for implementing the UN PoA

• Challenges and experiences in promoting effective border controls

• Issues and priorities for enhancing border controls to tackle SALW diversion