27th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
of the RED CROSS and RED CRESCENT
WORKSHOP on

THE HUMANITARIAN CHALLENGE OF SMALL ARMS PROLIFERATION

Jointly organised by the Republic of Mali, the Malian Red Cross, the Norwegian Government and the Norwegian Red Cross

2 NOV. 1999, 17.00 – 19.00

       The uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons facilitates massive violations of human rights, international humanitarian law and other humanitarian standards, increases tensions and conflicts, and hinders post-conflict reconciliation and reconstruction. States should ensure strict control of the flow of small arms and light weapons, and their ammunition. Sates should assess the impact of such transfers both on international peace and security and on respect for international humanitarian law and other humanitarian standards. States should ensure that their national policies, legislation and measures of implementation concerning arms transfers fully reflect their international commitments.

Agenda

17.00     Welcome and agenda setting, by the co-chairs

The Presidents of Norwegian and Malian Red Cross Societies, Thorvald Stoltenberg and Adama Diarra

17.15     Presentation of the ICRC study on Arms Availability and the Situation of Civilians in Armed Conflict,

Peter Herby, International Committee of the Red Cross

17.30 The West African Moratorium on Import, Export and Production of Small Arms and Light Weapons,

Sirakoro Sangare, Vice Security Chief of the President of Mali

17.40     Controlling the proliferation of small arms--the role and responsibility of governments,

Wegger Christian Strømmen, State Secretary, Norwegian Government

17.50     Raising awareness on the humanitarian consequences of small arms proliferation--the role of the RC & RC Movement and civil society at large,

Jan Egeland, Norwegian Red Cross and Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers

18.00     Video presentation: "A Farewell to Arms"-–on how Africa leads the way in getting arms off the streets and out of the bush

18.15     General discussion: What can governments and the RC & RC movement do to prevent violations of humanitarian law due to small arms proliferation?

19.00      Closure of workshop by the co-chairs