Control of trade and transfer of small arms and light weapons

Abstract

The term 'small arms and light weapons' (SALW) refers to conventional weapons that are relatively cheap and easily available, simple to use and maintain. These weapons are a widely spread threat to the security of states, communities and individuals. These are main weapons used in most of conflicts and armed insurgencies. The control of trade in SALW is one of the ways to stop the illegal spreading of these weapons, which may also contribute to precluding the armed conflicts. The paper gives a short overview of international initiatives concerning the illegal trade and transfer of SALW.

Termin malokalibarsko i lako oružje (SALW) odnosi se na konvencionalno oružje koje je relativno jeftino i lako dostupno, jednostavno za upotrebu i održavanje. Ono predstavlja široko rasprostranjenu pretnju za bezbednost država, zajednica i pojedinaca. To je osnovno oružje koje se koristi u većini sukoba i oružanog nasilja. Kontrola trgovine SALW je jedan od načina da se zaustavi nelegalno širenje ovog oružja, čime se može uticati i na suzbijanje oružanih sukoba. U radu je ukratko dat pregled međunarodnih inicijativa u pogledu kontrole nelegalne trgovine i prenosa SALW.