Norwegian Red Cross statement in support of ICRC study and small arms resolution, presented by SG Mollekleiv

In the ICRC study on "Arms Availability and the Situation of Civilians in Armed Conflict," we clearly see that the over-availability of arms — in particular small arms and light weapons like assault rifles and fragmenting grenades — is contributing to a change in the nature of armed conflict around the world. The authors of this study are to be congratulated for their compilation and careful analysis of data available from many different parts of ICRC operations.

Because they are cheap, portable and abundant, these weapons are flowing increasingly to undisciplined forces — including children — who show no respect for humanitarian law of armed conflict. The result is a shocking disregard for civilian casualties, and all too often the deliberate targeting of civilians: children, elders and women.

With staff in conflict zones around the world, the Red Cross is uniquely placed to speak effectively and with authority on the humanitarian impact of small arms supply. The Norwegian Red Cross regard it as one of the greatest humanitarian challenges and obligations of our time and for our Movement.

On the first anniversary of the terrible killing of the Red Cross nurses in Chechnya in December 1997 we started, with the Norwegian Church aid and peace and foreign relations researchers, the "Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers". In May of last year we were also pleased to co-organize with the ICRC an international expert group to comment upon the ICRC’s study. This Tuesday at 5 p.m. we are also glad to co-sponsor a work-shop on small arms proliferation at the International Conference with our Red Cross colleagues from Mali.

This is an issue that increasingly affects the Red Cross and Red Crescent operations directly — in terms of increasing threats on ICRC and National Society staff. ICRC staff with significant field experience reported in this study that their operations were frequently suspended or delayed because of armed threats to their security.

The resolution before us calls upon our Movement to take this information and work to raise awareness of the public and policy makers in their respective countries about the impact the flow of these weapons are having on the situation of non-combatants around the world.

National Societies are encouraged to work for responsible national laws concerning arms production, export and use. Included in these laws and practices should be a firm commitment by States not to export any arms to States that do not adequately "respect and ensure respect" for obligations of International Humanitarian Law. This is fundamental.

Earlier this decade we played a central and effective role in awakening the world’s conscience to the inhumane and illegal nature of anti-personnel landmines. Assault rifles and grenades are not inherently indiscriminate, as are landmines, but they are clearly used in an indiscriminate manner all too often.

As a result, it is certainly the case that many more civilians are killed per year by small arms and light weapons than are affected by anti-personnel landmines. Thus, there exists a similar and strong humanitarian imperative for the international community—including the ICRC and the national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies—to work effectively against this scourge of guns and grenades.

I encourage you to support the resolution on arms availability.