COMBATTING THE ILLICIT TRADE IN SMALL ARMS
Let's make sure Canada is part of the solution
By Peggy Mason
"A multitude of studies and reports conducted since the end of the Cold
War show conclusively that the excessive and destabilizing accumulation and
uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons has posed and continues
to pose a major threat to international peace and security. . . Canada is in
the forefront in calling attention to this urgent crisis and for calling upon
the international community to take action."
from DFAIT website.
Canada has taken a leading role in the international effort to curb the proliferation
and misuse of small arms and light weapons (SALW). We were extremely active
in the UN conference process that produced an agreed international Program of
Action in July, 2000. Since then, we have participated fully in follow-up activities
designed to encourage and assist states in implementing the many commitments
contained in the Program of Action, such as bringing key international treaties
against arms smuggling into effect and passing effective laws at home to control
arms brokers. Canada's credibility as a leader in this important work would
be significantly enhanced if we practised what we so ably preach. In short,
there are currently at least three significant legislative gaps in Canada's
own record of implementation:
- We have yet to ratify and bring into force in Canada the Inter-american
(OAS) convention against trafficking in firearms, signed away back in 1992.
Canada has pledged to this, possibly by the end of 2002.
- We have yet to ratify and bring into force in Canada the only global
treaty against firearms trafficking--the Vienna Firearms Protocol, signed
by Canada in June, 2001, and apparently to be ratified at the same time
as the OAS convention; and
- Canada has yet to introduce domestic legislation to effectively regulate
arms brokers, as we undertook to do in Section II, paragraph 14, of the
UN Program of Action. Regarding this commitment, there has been no public
statement of when or how Canada intends to comply.
(As a matter of record, Canada has yet to sign even such an important treaty as
the Law of the Sea, one that even the United States has signed.)
There is every reason to assume that Canada is deeply committed to the full implementation
of the UN Program of Action. But the legislative calendar seems always to be a
crowded one. Let us help ensure that our government honors its international pledges
by letting our elected representatives know that we expect concrete action, not
just words. Urge the new Foreign Affairs Minister, Bill Graham, and your local
MP and the Prime Minister himself to make sure that Canada is
UNSALW Program of Action-compliant by the end of 2002.
Internet Links:
Hon. Bill Graham: http:/www.dfait.gc.ca/dfait/ministers/graham-e.asp
Rt. Hon. Jean Chretien: http:/pm.gc.ca
UN Website on Small Arms and Light Weapons: http:/www.un.org/Dpts/dda/CAB/smallarms/
NGO International Action Network on Small Arms: http:/www.iansa.org/
(Peggy Mason was the Canadian Ambassador for Disarmament for the period 1989-1994.)
