EXPERT GROUP ON ILLICIT BROKERING IN SMALL ARMS, LIGHT WEAPONS CONCLUDES WORK;

CONSENSUS REPORT RECOMMENDS ELEMENTS FOR INCLUSION IN NATIONAL LEGISLATION

NEW YORK, 11 June (Office for Disarmament Affairs) -- The United Nations Group of Governmental Experts to consider further steps to enhance international cooperation in preventing, combating and eradicating illicit brokering in small arms and light weapons concluded its work on 8 June, suggesting a set of optional elements for inclusion in national legislation, and calling for consistent attention to the issue of illicit brokering in small arms at future United Nations meetings.

The Group adopted a consensus report noting that unregulated and poorly regulated arms brokering activities may result in transactions that increase the risk that arms are diverted to conflict-prone areas and embargoed entities, as well as to organized criminal and terrorist groups.  The report of the Group also contains the first agreed description of what constitutes illicit brokering in small arms.  Such description is seen as fundamental to any efforts to enhance international cooperation to combat illicit brokering in small arms.  It includes closely related activities such as transportation and financing, paving the way for a holistic approach to tackling illicit arms brokering.

It is expected that this report will form the basis for dedicated attention to illicit arms brokering at future United Nations meetings on small arms.  Also, invigorated national and regional action can be foreseen on improving States’ legislation addressing the issue.

The Group, which was established by General Assembly resolution 60/81 of 8 December 2005, was composed of 25 experts from Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Finland, France, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lithuania, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Romania, Senegal, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States.  The Group held a total of three sessions under the chairmanship of Mr. Daniël Prins of the Netherlands.

For further information, please contact António E. Évora, Secretary of the Group of Governmental Experts, Office for Disarmament Affairs, e-mail:  evora@un.org.

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For information media • not an official record