XXXI Meeting of MERCOSUR Working Group on Firearms and Ammunition (GTAFM)
On 4-5 June 2018, Paraguay, holding the pro-tempore presidency of MERCOSUR, hosted the XXXI Meeting of MERCOSUR Working Group on Firearms and Ammunition (GTAFM). During the meeting, representatives from embassies, police forces, INTERPOL and disarmament agencies from Peru, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay discussed the ATT and the need for a legal framework to protect human life against trafficking of firearms while recognizing the rights of States to regulate conventional firearms within their own territories. The meeting covered several issues, including the link between the ATT and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and a presentation on a common MERCOSUR on the UN PoA to be presented at RevCon3. In addition, participants also discussed the incorporation of a gender focus that promotes gender equality as stated in the UN PoA; legislative changes and marking controls to track SALW more effectivel and Member States practices on illicit firearm seizures.
MERCOSUR's Working Group on Firearms and Ammunition objectives are to increase sub regional controls on private security agencies, introduce legislation on stockpile controls at the national and sub regional level, raise awareness of and public support for small arms issues and establish convergent sub regional security policies to facilitate information sharing and cooperation. It also seeks to offer a forum for sub regional cooperation to control the production and transfer of firearms and ammunition within the region and to exchange information at the sub regional level such as the related legal provisions and measures on the subject matter with attention to the ATT.
Mercado Común del Sur (MERCOSUR)
Address: Dr. Luis Piera 1992 – Montevideo, República Oriental del Uruguay
Telehone: (+ 598) 2412.9024
Fax: (+ 598) 2410.0958/2418.0557
Website: http://www.mercosur.int/