A Review of International Controls on the Illicit Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons

• Main Authors: Tien-kai Tai, 戴天楷
• Other Authors: Yung-ming Yang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2006
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/06324845486965289767

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 政治學研究所 === 94 === Small arms and light weapons have been the primary instruments of violence and armed conflicts in the world. Small arms and light weapons not only cause huge damage to human rights, but also exacerbate the armed conflicts and the civil wars. In most states in conflict, non-combatants, including women and children, are facing the threats to their lives and safety from this kind of weapons. Illicit trafficking and trade of arms to the regions in conflict makes it more difficult on the process of cease-fire and peace-keeping. On the other hand, the circulation of illicit small arms in states in peace increases the rate of armed crime and violence, causing serious consequences of human security and social stability. The illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons has been a grave problem in the international agenda, and as a result, the United Nations began to deal with it in 1995. The international regime of controls and restraints on the proliferation of small arms and light weapons has developed. The most important achievement is that a three-level arms control system has been structured. The three levels are the United Nations’ framework, the regional and international regimes and the implementation of states. This article will illustrate the contemporary condition of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and the three levels of control structure of the illicit arms proliferation in the international society.