Disarmament

Issues

Organised Crime 

In recent years, disarmament measures by states have increasingly been directed against organisations and groups. Non-state actors, including organised crime, plays a role in the smuggling of weapons and the spread of weapons of mass destruciton and their components. These activities are pose a major threat to the security of states.

The distinction between organised crime and armed conflict is often ambiguous. Armed conflict does not necessarily have as its object political or military advantages, but rather the achievement of collapse of State activities or access to or trade in natural resources, such as diamonds or illegal drugs. Armed conflict is not primarily conducted by organised armies, but rather by groups or formations, often betraying humanitarian principles or principles of human rights, in particular in cases of women and children.        

The conclusion of an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) can potentially reduce illegal trafficking in arms by organized crime.  

The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (the Palermo-Convention) was concluded 15 November 2000 and entered into force 29 September 2004.  The Protocol on the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components was done 31 May 2001 and entered into force 3 July 2005.

Links

UNODC   |   ATT

Updated: 08/10   |     Send comments here     |     Abbreviations