You may remember that the U.N. Small Arms Treaty fell apart this summer—despite Dick “Black Helicopters” Morris’ prediction of a U.N. gun grab. Silly me. I missed the release of the U.N.’s Outcome document from its Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects. Click here for the text, which the Gun Owners of America slates for registration and micro-stamping recommendations. But to get a real feel for the thing, make the jump for the surprisingly readable and unintentionally humorous U.N. Press Release (7/9/12) on the Outcomes Document. Needless to say, these blue helmeted guys need watching . . .
Concluding its two-week session today, the second United Nations conference to review the 2001 Programme of Action on trafficking in small arms and light weapons adopted a consensus outcome document that highlighted the international community’s renewed commitment to preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade.
The document’s adoption represented a major achievement for delegations, who had failed to agree on a final outcome at the first review conference, held in 2006. “We accomplished something great today,” said U. Joy Ogwu ( Nigeria), President of the Conference, formally known as the United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.
According to the text, Member States renewed their pledge to rid the world of the scourge brought upon it by the illicit manufacture, transfer and circulation of small arms and light weapons, and their excessive accumulation and uncontrolled spread in many parts of the world. They also committed to mobilizing the necessary political will and resources to implement the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument, with the aim of achieving clear and tangible results over the next six years, through 2018.
Further by the text, States emphasized that the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons continued to sustain conflicts, exacerbate armed violence, undermine respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law, aid terrorism and illegal armed groups, and facilitate increasing levels of transnational organized crime, as well as trafficking in humans, drugs and certain natural resources.
Recognizing the primary responsibility of Governments in preventing, combating and eradicating small-arms trafficking, Member States welcomed the progress made so far in implementing the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument, including the creation of national laws and action plans. However, they stressed that implementation remained uneven, and that challenges and obstacles still stood in the way of full implementation.
Also by the text, delegations agreed to strengthen the action programme’s implementation at the national, regional and global levels over the period 2012-2018. On follow-up measures, they decided to hold a one-week biennial meeting of States in 2014 and 2016, and a one-week open-ended meeting of governmental experts in 2015 to consider the Programme of Action’s full and effective implementation. They also decided to hold a third review conference in 2018, to be scheduled as a two-week event and preceded by a one-week preparatory committee meeting early that year.
The outcome document also underscored efforts in marking, record-keeping and cooperation in tracing small arms and light weapons. For instance, Member States agreed to strengthen national measures on marking, including, to the extent possible, upon import and, where possible, measures against the removal or alteration of markings and for the recovery of erased or altered markings.
Before the outcome document’s adoption, the delegate of Iran said it lacked accuracy and practicality in some aspects, while in others it even deviated from the scope and purpose of the Conference. In negotiations, Iran had made efforts to bring the document back to the appropriate track, but felt it was still not satisfactory. Nevertheless, Iran wished to see the Conference succeed and would therefore not stand in the way of the consensus, despite its “strong reservation” regarding some parts of the draft text.
Following the adoption, Ms. Ogwu quoted boxing legend Muhammad Ali: “Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them — a desire, a dream, avision; they have to have last-minute stamina… They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger.” She continued: “Today I want to believe we are champions, and we have built for ourselves a lasting and positive legacy.”
Venezuela’s representative was among many delegates who expressed concern about the inclusion of some new concepts in the outcome document. Likening the introduction of the concept of trafficking in “natural resources” to opening Pandora’s Box, he said his delegation preferred the term “precious minerals”.
Ghana’s representative said that while the document was “fair and balanced”, he would have preferred stronger language on export implementation, as well as the inclusion of emerging issues such as the role of ammunition, and the effects of armed violence on development. “The rule of the game is compromise and give and take,” he said, adding, “it may not be the best, but it is a very good document.”
Syria’s representative stressed the right of individual States to safeguard and defend themselves, and their alienable right to self-determination when under foreign occupation. He urged Member States respect international conventions on the illicit trade in weapons and munitions, expressing concern over the flow of weapons and munitions into his country from neighbouring States.
Representatives of Israel and the United States said they wished to disassociate themselves from preambular paragraph 11 of the Programme of Action, relating to the right to self-determination of people under foreign occupation.
The European Union’s representative said it was regrettable that Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and General Assembly resolution 65/69 of 2010 had not been incorporated into the text and that no agreement had been reached on gender. The European Union had also hoped to see mention of Security Council resolution 1612 (2005) on children in armed conflict, the issue of ammunition, and condemnation of any activity in violation of Council arms embargoes. The bloc looked forward to increased use of indicators and standards, he said, adding that States should also take steps to prevent the use and transfer of man-portable air defence systems and their components.
Other than to step aside and watch genocide happen I don’t know of anything the U.N. has done except to throw away buckets of other people’s money.
Don’t forget all of the wasted time. There’s also the self – righteous preaching as well. The U.N. is a bastion of tolerance and diversity that just can’t wait to force you to live the life that they think is best. No thanks.
Ah, the UN…a cabal of despots gathered to brainstorm how best to further oppress their nations’ people.
A real “united nations” would be a gathering of citizen representatives brainstorming how to protect their nations’ people from their governments.
psh. That makes too much sense. Let the people impacted by the decision elect their own representatives to hash out the details? Nah. That would never work. /sarc
In what sane world would representatives of Syria, Venezuela and Nigeria be setting global policy on ANYTHING. representatives of failed state hell holes and murderous dictators second guessing the constitution.
I still can’t figure out what is driving the surge in firearms and ammo sales.
I’m buying a lot of it. Sorry, bud!
Seriously though, the US dollar is weakening do to us printing a shiteloade of $$$. Palmetto State Armory was selling PMC X TAC 5.56 M193 style ammo for $6.99 a box the last time I checked (ordered).
From the Document:
“6. To put in place, where they do not exist, adequate laws, regulations and
administrative procedures to exercise effective control over the production of small arms
and light weapons within their areas of jurisdiction and over the export, import, transit or
retransfer of such weapons, including by strengthening the national system of export and
import licensing and authorization, in order to prevent illegal manufacture of and illicit
trafficking in small arms and light weapons, including their diversion to unauthorized
recipients.”
That sound you’re hearing is Obama and (Hillary) Clinton laughing all the way to the ATF’s HQ.
Who do those “illicit arms sales” go to? Well, some of them go to criminals, but a lot of them go to revolutionaries (both the good time and the bad time).
What about Syria? The same arms this treaty is cracking down on are the ones Syrians are using to try to depose Assad. And that is what this treaty is really about. It’s a bunch of tinpot dictators trying to come up with new and innovative ways to keep their (already disarmed) populations in line.
What’s not to love?
That was supposed to be “type” not “time” – thanks, spellcheck…
The chic in the picture is very hot.
I like a good strong nose as well.
+2
Hey Dan, how about giving us the background story to the pictured blue beanie girl all ready and waiting for action?
Well she is wearing a blue beanie which makes her a no go in my book!!! She is fine but then again she is a bleached blonde under the beanie which means she isn’t smart enough to be a real blonde!!!
Strike 2!!!!
And then she has no canteen, has an ink pen in her hand and apparently going to write some bad guy a nasty note instead of having her weapon at the ready well………….Strike3!!!
Ok sarcasm off now!!!
She is a blue beanie. Enough to rule her out of my book!!! It is voluntary to wear them I believe. Correct me if I am wrong!!!
I strongly suspect she could kick you a$$!
She can be my personal bodyguard any day.
First of all, what illicit manufacture? – the only thing close to that description are the whopping 0.0001% of small arms that are cobbled together in the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Second of all, what illicit small arms trade? – the biggest traders/exporters of small arms are the member governments of the U.N.!
Third, why so much emphasis on eradicating the small-arms trade? – Its the large-arms trade in the hands of member states that kills millions. Also see the previous point.
The overwhelming majority of small arms in the hands of terrorists where provided to them by 1st world governments waging proxy wars, forcing regime adjustments to suit their own ambitions for a region. The hypocrisy of the U.N. undertaking any efforts on this topic, no matter how feeble they usually are, is both mind-boggling and gratuitously insulting.
Okay it’s not just me that finds her haut. She’s either Greek or Spanish. Both are damn fine.
The woman’s image file is “iranproud”. Can someone ID her nationality by her weapon? It looks to have more miles on it than expected.
The pictured soldier appears to be carrying a Spanish made CETME 7.62mm rifle. The rear sight is what differentiated it for me, from a G3.
Correct. Cetme. Web gear also matches Spanish issue, as does the woodlandish pattern camo. Full disclosure: I was once Spanish.
Yeah, it doesn’t have the rear “turret’ type of sight on the H-k’s. All that and she carries a full powered battle rifle and not a poodle shooter.
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