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NGO STATEMENT TO THE 2001 CONSULTATIVE GROUP 
MEETING ON CAMBODIA

WEAPONS REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
 

CONTENTS

 


Introduction
Key Issues
Recommendations

Introduction

After almost three decades of internal armed conflict, Cambodia has inherited a legacy of small arms that accumulated during the years fighting. Despite the end of armed conflict, a surplus of weapons and ammunition still remain in the country. Although no accurate statistics regarding the number of weapons in circulation exist, available information indicates an extraordinarily high number in both rural and urban areas. Alongside the proliferation of weapons is the development of a more dangerous problem: a culture of violence. It has become common for people to think of armed violence as a first solution to solving problems, as seen in incidents of domestic violence, property disputes, and self-protection.

In early 1999, the Municipality of Phnom Penh implemented a weapons collection campaign that later expanded to a nation-wide collection campaign under the Ministry of Interior. As of April 2001, 107,689 weapons were collected in 22 provinces, of which 45,480 were destroyed in nine public destruction ceremonies. On 21 June 2000, Prime Minister Hun Sen. inaugurated a National Commission for Weapons Reform and Management to be responsible for national small arms efforts. The government and civil society are currently reviewing a draft arms law drafted by the Ministry of Interior.

NGOs catalyzed action on this issue in Cambodia and are increasingly playing a key role in addressing issues related to small arms, light weapons, and community security. An NGO coalition effort, the Working Group for Weapons Reduction in Cambodia (WGWR), is mobilizing action on research, public education, networking and advocacy activities. Subsequently, the EU Assistance on curbing Small Arms and Light Weapons in Cambodia (EU-ASAC) project began focusing on weapons storage, legislation, NGO support, and a "Weapons for Development" pilot project in two rural districts.

Regional Track-One and Track-Two dialogue on the issue was recently initiated through the ASEAN-ISIS network and the Asia Regional Forum (ARF), thus raising the issue at a regional level. After participation in a preparatory conference during March 2001, Cambodian government and NGO representatives will attend the international UN Conference on the Illicit Trade Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, to be held in New York, July 2001

Key Issues

  • Illicit-Licit Weapons Cycles
    In Cambodia, as in many other post-conflict countries, few distinctions exist between illicit and licit weapons. An established cycle exists in which legal weapons in government stockpiles often become illegal again through black market sales, arms trafficking, and other diversions. Most reduction efforts to date focusing primarily on illegal civilian possession of weapons, not on "licit" use and stockpiles, do not adequately address the full scope of the small arms problem.
  • Lack of Information and Understanding of Small Arms and Security Issues 
    Lack of accurate and documented information about the proliferation and effects of small arms and light weapons in Cambodia is one of the main problems limiting action on the issue. As a result, national and international responses to the threat of small arms and light weapons lack a deep understanding of the local context and therefore face the risk of being misdirected or inappropriate.
  • Underlying Causes for Insecurity and Weapons Dependence
    In addition to the supply-side issues, there are also demand issues. That is, many Cambodian civilians and communities choose to possess and use weapons because they do not feel the armed security forces (i.e., police, soldiers, gendarmerie) provide adequate security. In some cases, these same forces are cited as the main threat to community security or are perceived to act in cooperation with criminal elements. The demand for weapons and continued use among civilians cannot, therefore, be adequately addressed simply through weapons collection efforts if underlying causes for continued weapons dependence are not also understood and addressed.
  • Lack of Strategic Responses to Small Arms and Light Weapons
    Previous attempts to collect weapons in the early 1990s were often shortsighted, inadequately resourced, and unsuitable to the political climate. Current small arms reduction efforts by the government, international community, an civil society are better resourced and timed, but still lack a strong basis of understanding, comprehensiveness, and coordination. Without an overarching, integrated, and long-term strategy in place with a capable implementing body, current activities remain shortsighted and of limited effectiveness.

Recommendations

  • Preventing Diversion of Licit Weapons
    Efforts must be made to address not only the collection of illicit civilian weapons but also the proper management of licit national stockpiles. Government stockpiles should be properly managed to prevent leakage and illegal diversion. Unauthorized leakage, use, or sale of government stockpiles should be halted immediately and perpetrators punished and appropriately (including those involved in the weapons black market, illegal shooting ranges, and other armed illegal activities). All collected weapons and surplus stocks should be destroyed immediately in public weapons destruction ceremonies to break the cycle of licit-illicit weapons diversion.
  • Understanding the Roots of Insecurity; Building Trust and Confidence
    Further research efforts are needed to examine the causes and effects of weapons proliferation and misuse in Cambodia. Research results will provide the government, the international community, and civil society with a greater understanding of how small arms issues affect the country and local communities to better address the specific needs and unique context of Cambodia. Efforts should also be taken to encourage dialogue between communities and the security forces responsible for their security in order build a foundation of trust, share concerns, and strengthen confidence.
  • Developing Cambodian Structures and Capacity: Government and Civil Society
    The international community should strongly encourage and assist the Royal Government of Cambodia to create national structures, policy, and action plans that demonstrate a commitment to weapons reduction and management. Support is specifically required to strengthen the National Commission so that is becomes an operational and effective body. Likewise, further efforts should be made to support and strengthen the essential role civil society plays in weapons reduction efforts. This long-term problem requires sustainable and locally owned responses. International efforts, therefore, should primarily focus on capacity building and financial support for local groups and institutions.
  • Small Arms and Security Sector Reform
    The small arms and light weapons issue is only one aspect of various activities that collectively have an impact on human security in Cambodia. These activities include demobilization of the armed forces, demilitarization, police demobilization and reform, and completion of the first Defense White Paper. Within each element, the issue of small arms and light weapons emerges and therefore should also be addressed within a broader security sector reform discussion. Such discussion would improve the coordination of related interventions, prevent redundant or competing initiatives, and create synergy to improve human security in post-conflict Cambodia.
For more information on issues raised in this paper please contact: 
The Working Group for Weapons Reduction in Cambodia, Tel: 023 216 400, 
Email: WGWR@bigpond.com.kh
Introduction
Progress
Key NGO priorities
Conclusion
Strategic Planning for Poverty Reduction
Sectoral Papers
Agriculture
Child's Rights
Commune Administration and Decentralization
Commune Elections
Disability and Rehabilitation
Education
Fisheries
Forestry
Gender
Governance and Transparency
Health
HIV/AIDS
Human Rights
Landmines and & UXOs
Land Reform
Mental Health
Micro-finance
Urban Poor
Weapons Reduction and Management
General NGO Information
References

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