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Meeting between Latin American and US Parliamentarians

Inter-Parliamentary Seminar on

PARLIAMENTARY ACTION ON SMALL ARMS – THE ILLICIT TRANSFER OF SMALL ARMS TO LATIN AMERICA

27 April 2010, Washington D.C., USA

US Congressman James. P. McGovern

On April 27th 2010 the Parliamentary Forum on Small Arm and Light Weapons organized a seminar titled “Parliamentary Action on Small Arms – the illicit transfer of small arms to Latin America” in Washington D.C., USA, with special guest Congressman James P. McGovern. The seminar was held in Room B-340 Rayburn House Office in the United States Congress.

The seminar drew a lot of attention, more than seventy participants attended the seminar and among these were: US congressmen, representation from US Congressmen and Congresswomen’s Offices, representation from a US Senator’s Office, Representation from US State Department, Members of Parliament from Sweden, Mozambique, Uruguay, Brazil, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Colombia, as well as strong representation from Embassies, National and International Organisations, Research Institutes, and the Media.

MP. Daisy Tourné, Uruguay

The overarching theme of the seminar consisted in the common understanding that the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons is a major threat to development, democracy and security in many parts of the world, and hence a serious concern for parliamentarians world-wide. Countries in Latin America, and in particular Central America, are among those worst affected. The consequences in society with insecurity, firearms and crime are of prime concern

to citizens of the region.

Illicit weapons in Latin America originate from all over the world, however a significant number is the result of illicit transfer of individuals and organized crime from the US across the border to Mexico for further transfer in the region. The response to this threat is a common responsibility for parliamentarians in Latin American countries and the US Congress and any counter measures would benefit from a common understanding among legislators in all countries concerned. Hence, the main objectives of the seminar were to:

-Provide a platform for exchange of views between the US Congress and parliamentarians from the targeted region;

-Share information of best practices and ongoing work related to improved control of the illicit transfer of SALW;

-Deepen discussion on the consequences for security in Latin America;

-Explore the various forms on moving the issue forward.

The following documents can be downloaded:

Minutes Seminar in US Congress on SALW 2010