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Small Arms Violence and Trafficking in Bangladesh : Security Implications

Small Arms Violence and Trafficking in Bangladesh : Security Implications. Neila Husain Senior Research Fellow Bangladesh Institute of International & Strategic Studies (BIISS) 20 June 2009. Purpose of this Presentation. Share basic facts about small arms;

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Small Arms Violence and Trafficking in Bangladesh : Security Implications

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  1. Small Arms Violence and Trafficking in Bangladesh : Security Implications Neila Husain Senior Research Fellow Bangladesh Institute of International & Strategic Studies (BIISS) 20 June 2009

  2. Purpose of this Presentation • Share basic facts about small arms; • Give an overview of the impact of small arms on national and human security; • To discuss the options for controlling the proliferation of small arms nationally, regionally and globally.

  3. What are Small Arms? • All weapons that can be fired, • maintained and transported by one person. • Revolvers, pistols, rifles sub-machine guns, assault rifles, light machine guns are some of the widely used small arms in Bangladesh

  4. Key Facts about Small Arms • There are over 600 million small arms in the world, or one for every ten people. • Nearly 60 per cent of small arms are in civilian hands. • Majority of illegal small arms start out as legally traded weapons • More than 500,000 people on average are killed with small arms every year: one person every minute. • Small arms are the cause of 60-90% of direct conflict deaths. • In 11% of crime committed in Bangladesh, small arms are use

  5. Why are SALW the “Weapons of Choice”? • √ Cheaper option • √ Light weight-portable • √ Easily available • √ Easy to operate • √ Accurate target

  6. Problems of Small Arms in Bangladesh • Easy availability and use of illicit small arms and improvised explosive devises (IED) have increased over the years. • Weapons of choice for criminals, extremists, terrorists, political activists • Innocent people, esp. women and children are easy targets

  7. Cause for the Increase in Small Arms Use • Economic factors • - Small arms ...... big business! • Social factors • - Unemployment • - Degradation of moral/social value system • Political greed • - Abuse of power • Ideological extremism • - Religious militancy

  8. Source of (Illicit) SALW

  9. Trafficking Routes of SALW through Bangladesh Map South and South East Asia: The ‘small arms road’

  10. Use and Users of Small Arms  Organized Crime  Unorganized Crime - Extortion - theft - Politically backed criminal groups - land violence - Campus Violence - drug addicted youth - Underworld Crime - gender violence - Terrorist Groups - homicide - Piracy

  11. Impact on State and National Security • Challenge to Democracy and Governance - curtails democratic practices - deteriorating law and order • Challenge to Development - armed violence, extortion, rent seeking are obstacle to investment, entrepreneurship, creating “unfriendly business environment. • Challenge to National Exchequer - diverts resources from basic public health services - equipping law enforcing agencies • Challenge to National Security - increase in militancy and terrorist attacks linked with within Bangladesh.

  12. Increased Threat to Human Security • Increased risk of physical attack • Incidences of social violence had increased • Crime among drug addicts in going unnoticed • Threat to women’s right and security • Risk to child security • Education system has suffered over the past few decades • Armed Violence affects livelihood and slows down productivity.

  13. Government Approaches in Controlling Small Arms • Legislation: Arms Act of 1878 • Administrative measures • - Arms recovery programmes • - Introduction of RAB in 2004 • Multilateral/Regional measures • - United Nations program of Action (UNPOA) • - Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) • - SAARC Convention on Counter Terrorism

  14. Small Arms Control

  15. What are the Challenges for Bangladesh? • Lack of Data • Existing laws • Border security & Customs Checking • - Lack of Manpower, • - Logistics • - lack of technology • Political-Criminal Nexus • Corruption • Stockpiling of arms and ammunition • Resource constraint

  16. Recommendations for the Government • A Core Group of relevant ministries and govt. organizations dealing with Small Arms • Review Arms Act and introduce new laws • Address “demand side” and “supply side” • Capacity Building of law enforcing agencies • Enhance Border Security • De-link transnational networks • Create Employment for the youth • Introduce more drug rehabilitation centres • Reinstating ex-criminals in society • Increase Research on the impact of small arms • Access to information about firearms • Employ linked data system • Engage civil society, NGOs

  17. What can the Civil Society Do? • Raise community awareness around the problem • Restrain from giving children toys guns • Restore family values • Campaign against violence laden movies, video games.

  18. A Comprehensive Approach To Control Small Arms Proliferation Human Security Approach Traditional Security Approach Multilateral/Regional Approach

  19. Conclusion A well-coordinated effort from government, non-government and international actors are urgently needed to curb the demand and supply of small arms in order to create a health nation:politically, socio-economically, and internationally

  20. Thank you

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