There is a growing acceptance within the international development community that human security is an essential public need, like education, health and clean water. There is also little doubt that the uncontrolled proliferation of small arms presents a significant challenge to those governments and authorities struggling with weak governance structures and an unreformed security system.

Experience has demonstrated that the security sector becomes highly politicised during times of weak governance, which results in a range of undesirable problems.  These may include a lack of accountability within the security system, and the deteriorating delivery of security and justice. This can result in further proliferation of weapons, poor cooperation between governance organizations and security actors and growing mistrust from the population, leading to internal instability. The control of small arms and light weapons must therefore be a fundamental component to be considered during any security system reform.

In November 2009 the Board of the Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons adopted a Policy Statement of SALW and Security System Reform.  They recognised that addressing the fundamental linkages between Small Arms and Security System Reform is an important precursor towards effective democratic governance. 

Parlforum policy statement on security system reform

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Small Arms and Security System Reform (Eng, Spa)

Download: Security System Reform, parliamentary handbook