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; 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.

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

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

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

Problems of Small Arms in BangladeshEasy 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

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

Source of (Illicit) SALW

Trafficking Routes of SALW through Bangladesh

Map South and South East Asia: The ‘small arms road’

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

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.

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.

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

Small Arms Control

Trafficking/smugglingUse of IEDs

Social ViolenceCrime rate

Terrorist AttacksPolitical ViolenceCampus Violence

Attack on innocent peoplePiracy

pre 1/11 post 1/11

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

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

What can the Civil Society Do?

Raise community awareness around the problem

Restrain from giving children toys gunsRestore family valuesCampaign against violence laden movies,

video games.

A Comprehensive Approach To Control Small Arms Proliferation

Human Security Approach

Traditional Security Approach

Multilateral/Regional Approach

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

Thank you