24 May 2012

Press Release DC/3352

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs Provides

 

Small Arms Destruction Equipment to Jamaica

 

 

NEW YORK, 24 May, Office for Disarmament Affairs — In May 2012, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, through its Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) provided a set of small arms destruction equipment to Jamaica and trained national officers on the use of the equipment.  These activities aim to strengthen the capacity of Jamaica to combat the illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons nationally, as well as in the Caribbean region.

 

UNLIREC provided a set of hydraulic shears to assist Jamaica in having a permanent and sustainable capacity to destroy surplus, obsolete and confiscated small arms and light weapons.  UNLIREC trained 17 officers of the Jamaica Defense Force, Constabulary Force, Firearms Licensing Authority and Correctional Services.  At a symbolic donation ceremony, 95 weapons were destroyed by the trainees.

 

UNLIREC previously undertook a national baseline assessment and provided 40 international standard padlocks to strengthen weapons stockpile safety and security.

 

The provision of this equipment by UNLIREC is part of its “Firearms Destruction and Stockpile Management Assistance Package for Caribbean States”.  This Assistance Package aims at assisting Caribbean States to combat illicit arms trafficking and to implement relevant international and regional disarmament instruments such as the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms.  The Assistance Package aids States to reduce the risk of theft and diversion from Government holdings of operational, confiscated, surplus and obsolete small arms, light weapons, ammunition and explosives.

 

In February 2012, 57 Jamaican security sector personnel were trained as part of UNLIREC´s Inter-institutional Training Course on Combating the Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives.  Furthermore, in collaboration with the Government, 1,877 firearms and 12,000 rounds of ammunition were destroyed.

 

UNLIREC’s assistance to Caribbean States also includes the development of independent weapons monitoring and verification methodologies; the establishment of safe and efficient methods for the destruction of small arms, light weapons, ammunition and explosives based on United Nations standards; and the legal review of national small arms legislation.

 

This Assistance Package is implemented with the financial support of the United States.

 

For more information on UNLIREC visit www.unlirec.org.  Please direct all questions or inquiries to:  Ms. Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer, cowl@unlirec.org

 

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For information media • not an official record