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Small arms proliferation threatens peace efforts: UN
The United Nations has expressed concern over the global proliferation of small arms and light weapons saying it constantly threatens UN peace- building operations, as well as conflict prevention and humanitarian efforts.
The United Nations has expressed concern over the global proliferation of small arms and light weapons saying it constantly threatens UN peace- building operations, as well as conflict prevention and humanitarian efforts.
Every two minutes, someone somewhere on this planet is killed by small arms and in most cases, the victims are civilians, UN Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frichette said that on Monday at the premiere of a UN documentary on light weapons in New York.
She said that small arms were estimated to result in 300,000 casualties each year.
Next year's UN conference on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects, she said, represents one of the most important opportunities to translate words and commitments into action. Frichette urged the international community to seize that chance of backing up its words with concrete steps.
“The problem is multifaceted and global in nature. It has no quick fix, no magic solution. It must be addressed step by step, with persistence and determination, and then progress can be made, and lives can be saved,” She said. The documentary on small arms, titled armed to the teeth, was prepared by the UN departments of disarmament affairs and public information, with support from governments and civil society groups.
Next year's UN conference on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects, she said, represents one of the most important opportunities to translate words and commitments into action. Frichette urged the international community to seize that chance of backing up its words with concrete steps.
“The problem is multifaceted and global in nature. It has no quick fix, no magic solution. It must be addressed step by step, with persistence and determination, and then progress can be made, and lives can be saved,” She said. The documentary on small arms, titled armed to the teeth, was prepared by the UN departments of disarmament affairs and public information, with support from governments and civil society groups.
Bureau Report