PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECRETARIAT Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECRETARIAT

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Excelling Together for the People of the Pacific Strengthening Implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons: Regional Meeting on the Implementation of the Programme of Action Understanding the Problems Posed by the Proliferation of Illicit SALW in the Pacific Sydney, June 2009

Political Governance and Security SECURITY PILLAR Regional Security Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Political Issues Legal Issues / Drafting Election Monitoring Conflict Prevention Good Governance (Trends/Developments) (Working Group) (Capacity Development) (RAMSI / Fiji / Declarations) (10 Forum Island Countries) (Human Security) (Security Sector Governance)

Law Enforcement Unit - Linkages to SALW • Pre Forum Regional Security Committee Meeting – Pacific Transnational Crime Assessment • Small Vessel Movement in the Pacific • Criminal Deportees • Security Sector Governance • LEU Secondment Programme – Small Arms and Light Weapons Project

Issue for Pacific Region Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) are an issue for the Pacific and is predicted to pose an increasing problem.

Trends and Motivations “…Motivation for weapon ownership was varied and included self-defence but also social status” “…The availability in the Pacific of Hollywood movies glorifying violence has led to the growing acceptability of sexual violence and the glorification of the 'Rambo' gun-toting, macho image as a role model for young men. ”

Sexual and Gender Based Violence “…Two boys confronted her on the road, one holding a gun. The one holding the gun quickly said “If you shout or scream I will shoot you” She fully understood the threat. She was ordered to lay down beside the road and then six boys took turns in gang-raping her, beginning with the one that had the gun. All through the sexual assault the gun was pointed at her. ”

SALW - Availability, Acceptability and Use “…Today, guns (both legal and illegal) saturate society and are widely used in tribal fights and criminal activities – no least for terrorizing other men and women. ” “…Firearms have also been used to further political power…ownership and the ability to use them gives added power over the enemies and victims. ” SALW can fuel and exacerbate violence and conflict. There are significant costs / impacts, including financial (healthcare) and loss of life.

Impact on Family and Community “…some women were unable to verbalise the violations against them…Instead of the use of the word rape it was phrased as 'he used me as his wife' or 'I was selected or appointed. . . to be his wife, at gun point. While we have sexual affairs, my husband would [be made to] stay and watch’. . . ”

Pacific Community (not just Region) Issue "We're losing too many of our Pacific Islanders to the prison system, to the gang life and even to death…What happens if there's not a change? " • Glendale Family Dollar store manager killed during a botched robbery; • A Kearns High School student shot blocks from a campus; • A Salt Lake City teenager discovered riddled with bullets on a West Valley City golf course. In all three recent murders, the accused killers are young Polynesians - an alarming trend law enforcement, school, church and community leaders want to stop.

Secretariat Control of Ammunition Project All firearms either home made, or factory made, require ammunition. Controlling ammunition can help prevent incidents related to SALW. Controlling ammunition will help prevent harm to communities.

Control of Ammunition Toolkit • The project will be based on the Cook Islands model • Will be in a ‘tool kit’ format like the Border Cash Reporting toolkit: – – Required Legislative Provisions / Amendments Toolkit as a Resource / Training Tool Educational Materials Fully Supported • Supports the United Nations Programme of Action on SALW • Compliments existing work in the Pacific region (such as): – Strengthening of Armouries Programme – Firearm Safety and Training Programmes

Regional Response • The toolkit will be developed in conjunction with key stakeholders. • The provision and implementation of this toolkit will also ensure that the Pacific region is responding to the global Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons. • The Control of Ammunition Project was endorsed at the 2009 FRSC. • The toolkit will be available for the Committee to review at the 2010 FRSC.

PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECRETARIAT Mathew Leslie Regional Security Adviser Phone: (+679) 331 2600 | DDI: (+679) 322 0390 | Mob: (+679) 999 8727 Fax: (+679) 322 0291| Email: Matt. L@forumsec. org. fj | Web: www. forumsec. org