In 1997 the council of delegates of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent commissioned the ICRC to examine the extent to which the over-availability of weapons is contributing to a growth and worsening of violations of international humanitarian law--the body of law that governs the conduct of war.

That study was presented to the 27^th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in November 1999 and lead to the passage of a resolution by the ICRC council of delegates endorsing advocacy on the issue of small arms control similar to its previous engagement on landmines.

NISAT, and in particular Norwegian Red Cross, has worked in support of this eventuality.  In May 1998 NISAT hosted a conference on the issue, where the draft study was presented and discussed. In March 1999 NISAT hosted a seminar for Norwegian humanitarian aid organizations on small arms and early warning of impending conflict. And at the November 1999 International Conference, NISAT co-sponsored a workshop on small arms availability and violations of international humanitarian law.

For further information, see:

Press release on ICRC report calling on states to strengthen controls on arms availability, July 1999;the ICRC report Arms availability and the situation of civilians in armed conflict, a Reuters news article on the report; a NISAT opinion piece on the report

ICRC statement on Arms Transfers, Humanitarian Assistance and International
Humanitarian Law/en français, February 1998.

ICRC International Humanitarian Law database

Report of the Secretary General to the Security Council on the protection of civilians in armed conflict (S/1999/957), 8 September 1999; and Security Council resolution endorsing the report (no. 1265). The resolution made special reference to the impact of small arms in prolonging conflicts and undermining the provision of humanitarian assistance.

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