Small arms and light weapons (SALW) are defined in the United Nation’s International Tracing Instrument as any man-portable lethal weapon that expels or launches, is designed to expel or launch, or may be readily converted to expel or launch a shot, bullet or projectile by the action of an explosive.
“Small arms” are, broadly speaking, weapons designed to be carried and operated by an individual. They include, inter alia, revolvers and self-loading pistols, rifles and carbines, shotguns, sub-machine guns, assault rifles and light machine guns. “Light weapons” are, broadly speaking, team operated, or designed to fire an explosive projectile. They include, inter alia, heavy machine guns, under-barrel grenade launchers and mounted grenade launchers, portable anti-aircraft guns, portable anti-tank guns, recoilless rifles, man-portable launchers of anti-tank missile and rocket systems, man-portable launchers of anti-aircraft missile systems, and mortars.
The illicit global trade in SALW has been an increasing cause of instability, violence and death across the world. In response to this growing threat, in March 2015 the WCO initiated its first Small Arms and Light Weapons Project aiming to detect and prevent illicit trafficking of these items. The Project was focused on conducting legal and technical analyses of the implications of the key SALW instruments, including the UN Programme of Action (PoA) and International Tracing Instrument (ITI), The Firearms Protocol, and Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).and on fostering partnerships with international organizations, such as INTERPOL and United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). In particular, the cooperation with UNODA was enhanced in December 2016 by signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations.
Currently, the WCO Security Programme has three main projects seeking to assist Members in the detection of illicit SALW at borders as described below:
1. European Union - League of Arab States Project
The EU-LAS project was launched in 2019 in order to support the Member States of the League of Arab States (LAS) in sustainably building their national capacities to combat the illicit trade in, and proliferation of, small arms and light weapons. In so doing, the project also supports LAS Member States with their national implementation of the UN Small Arms Programme of Action (UN doc. A/CONF.192/15) and the International Tracing Instrument (UN doc. A/60/88).
The project responds to the needs and priorities identified by LAS Member States regarding illicit small arms, as discussed within the framework of the EU-LAS Strategic Dialogue on Weapons of Mass Destruction, Small Arms and Light Weapons, and Arms Control. The WCO, in collaboration with INTERPOL and the Small Arms Survey is entrusted with the implementation of the project funded by the EU. The LAS Department of Arms Control and Disarmament serves as the project focal point in this joint effort.
2. Project BOLT
Project Bolt is established in partnership with the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) and supported by US International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). It is focusing in the thematic areas of SALW and narcotics. The project is supporting The Caribbean Firearms Roadmap by developing capacity for the Caribbean regional Customs administrations. The strategic vision of the Roadmap is to address the issue of illicit proliferation of firearms and ammunition. This will be achieved by adopting sustainable solutions, consistent with international norms and the Caribbean context, to control, eradicate, prevent and prosecute the illicit possession, proliferation and misuse of firearms and ammunition.
The Project Bolt also analyses the movement of narcotics in the Caribbean region with a focus area around the air cargo and fast parcel industries. In order to support information sharing on this illicit commodity, the Project operates a CENComm group for the Caribbean region.
3. Project SIRIUS