UNSC adopts resolution on small arms, light weapons

NEW YORK, May 22 (KUNA) - UN Security Council (UNSC) adopted this morning resolution no. 2220 on small arms and light weapons with grave concern of the matter to continue to pose threats to international peace and security. The resolution submitted by Lithuania, the current president of the Council, and cosponsored by 56 other UN members, reiterated that the illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons fuel conflict and have devastating impact on the protection of civilians.
The Security Council also reiterated in its resolution its demand that all parties to armed conflict comply strictly with the obligations applicable to them under international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international refugee law.
Moreover, it stressed the need for parties to take all required measures to avoid civilian casualties, respect and protect the civilian population.
The illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons in many regions of the world may cause significant loss of life, contribute to instability and insecurity and continue to undermine the effectiveness of the Security Council in discharging its primary responsibility tim the maintenance of international peace and security.
The Security Council recognized through its adoption to this resolution, the effectiveness of weapons collection and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programs "depends inter alia on providing sustainable opportunities to former combatants and on the ability of State institutions to foster an inclusive environment in which people feel safe and secure." Nevertheless, the UNSC emphasized the importance of security sector reform in improving the ability of the State to extend public security and rule of law within its boundaries, to train professional, effective and accountable security personnel and assisting States to develop proper procedures for weapon stockpile management, physical security, marking, record-keeping and tracing.
As for the Arms Trade Treaty, the resolution urged States to consider "ratifying or acceding to the ATT as soon as possible," and encouraged States, intergovernmentaL regional and subregional organizations that are in a position to do so to render assistance in capacity-building to enable States Parties to fulfil and implement the Treaty's obligations.
The resolution received nine members voting in favor, whereas, Angola, Chad, China, Nigeria, Russia, and Venezuela abstained.(end) mao.ajs