IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT FOR THE UN …186... · IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT FOR THE UN PROGRAMME...

IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT FOR THE UN PROGRAMME OF ACTION ON SA/LW 1


UN Program of Action Implementation of the UN POA

Assistance in Support of the UN POA

Global/Regional Activity in Support of the UN POA

Section II, para 2 Section II, para 3 Domestic Laws and procedures to control production, transfer of SA/LW Legislation to criminalize illicit SA/LW activities

According to the Firearms Act (1996:67), the possession and trade of all conventional firearms and ammunition is subject to authorization. The Military Equipment Act (1992:1303) governs the manufacture and export of weapons, ammunition and other material designed for military use. Military equipment may not be manufactured without a permit. A permit is also required for all types of defense industry collaboration with other countries (covers exports and other forms of supply of military equipment). The Firearms Act and the Military Equipment Act provide penalties for violations. The Act on Penalties for smuggling (2000:1225) as well as the Penal Code (1962:700) also provide penalties for violations. Sweden is at the moment analyzing what measures need to be taken with regard to national legislation in order to ratify the "UN Firearms Protocol". After studying the matter, the authorities have drawn the conclusion that the Firearms Protocol is a “mixed agreement” that requires measures not only at a national level but also by the European Union. Sweden would not be able to implement the UN Firearms Protocol exclusively on its own. Implementation has to be done in cooperation with the European Union.

2003 Sweden contributed with USD 39 000 to a seminar headed by the UN-DDA on the UN Register of Conventional Arms and UN Instrument for Reporting Military Expenditures. 2004 Sweden contributed with USD 50 000 to a seminar in Managua, Nicaragua, on SALW within the Transfer Control Initiative. For the organization of meetings of the Permanent Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons 2003-2004 Sweden gave financial support to the Swedish Parliamentary SALW Association.

Sweden is taking part in the EU working group of national experts on Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons. The working group is now considering modifications i.a. required to enable accession to the UN Protocol against Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their parts, components and ammunition.


Section II, para 4 National coordinating agencies responsible for researching and monitoring illicit SA/LW trade

Responsibility for policy guidance, research and monitoring illicit SALW trade is shared between the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Defense. Responsible national agencies are the National Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP), the Customs, the Coast Guard, the Swedish Armed Forces and the National Police Board. In October 2001 the UN PoA (together with the OSCE SALW -document and the "UN Firearms Protocol") were referred for consideration to all Swedish authorities and agencies, as well as some NGOs dealing with SALW -issues. The agencies were asked to comment on measures that might be taken in order to fully implement these documents. The results included a number of suggestions for improvements as regards national procedures etc. These suggestions have been taken into account.

Section II, para 6 Identify groups associated with illicit SA/LW activities

The Swedish law enforcement agencies and the Swedish Customs are responsible for identifying groups and individuals associated with illicit SALW activities and for taking action under the appropriate laws.

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Section II, para 7 Section III, para 12 Section II, para 8 Marking of all SA/LW at time of manufacture; Exchange on marking practice Measures to prevent manufacture, transfer of unmarked SA/LW

Neither the Firearms Act nor the Military Equipment Act at present contain legal requirements for marking firearms at the time of production. In order to fulfil the requirements in the UN Firearms Protocol, it might be necessary to introduce new rules for marking firearms. Necessary amendments are now being analyzed. However today in practice all firearms are marked at time of manufacture. In order to obtain a permit to possess a weapon, from the police the weapon must be marked with a manufacturer's stamp. In addition all licensed weapons are required to have a unique identification number, given when the license is issued. All SALW procured by the Swedish Armed Forces are marked at the place of manufacture with the small national coat of arms (three crowns; placed two above one). SALW owned by the armed forces are also always marked with the manufacturer’s stamp and unique number. The composition of number series is decided by the armed forces when placing the procurement order. Some SALW types (e.g. assault rifles) are also marked with the year of manufacture. Furthermore all SALW procured by the Swedish Armed Forces, The Customs, the Coast Guard and the Police are marked at the place of manufacture. They are marked with the manufacturer's stamp and a unique number Future permits to manufacture weapons will require that the weapons are marked with a manufacture's stamp.

Sweden (the National Police Board) is participating in a project within the EU (Enfopol 16) aiming at improving co-operation and exchange of information between police services regarding marking of arms and tracing of illicit firearms. Sweden, together with the other EU member states, participates in the ongoing negotiations within the UN on a legally binding instrument on marking and tracing of SALW. Exchange on marking practice takes place within the framework of OSCE.


Section II, para 9 "Record keeping" on manufacture, holding, and transfer

The Swedish Armed Forces holds a central register for all SALW in its possession. It is possible to ascertain the year and country of manufacture through checking records held by the armed forces on SALW procurement. The National Police Board keeps central registers; one on permits for possession of weapons; one on missing/stolen weapons and one on permission to trade weapons. The Inspectorate of Strategic Products keeps records of exports of all military equipment. Records of manufactured weapons are kept by the manufacturer. ISP continuously monitors the marketing and export of military equipment from Sweden.

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Section II, para 7, 10 Identification and traceability of arms

The National Board is responsible for tracing firearms. For example the central register on missing/stolen firearms is used to identify and trace firearms. The Swedish Armed Forces and its Military Intelligence and Security Service closely monitors any potential loss of SALW. Any missing or stolen weapon is reported to the National Police Board.





Section II, para 11 Export and import licensing

The Swedish legislation governing the export of conventional arms are found in the Military Equipment Act (1992) and the Military Equipment Ordinance (1992). A permit is required for all exports of military equipment, including SALW. The applications are examined by the National Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP) according to strict guidelines and the criteria of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms export. The Swedish Customs verify these permits. A government inquiry in January 2005 proposed i.a. certain formal adjustments to EU Code of Conduct regarding a common list of defence equipment and clarification of export critera etc. The inquiry also proposed an obligatory declaration at the time of import and an authorization requirement for import of military equipment including SALW with certain exceptions. See also www.sou.gov.se/krut eng version. The Firearms Act regulates the import of firearms, which requires an application. These applications are examined by the Police.

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The EU Code of Conduct contains eight criteria against which each member state shall assess export license for military equipment on a case-by-case basis. Member states shall circulate details of license applications refused in accordance with the code together with an explanation of why a license has been refused.


Section II, para 12 End-user certification, legal and enforcement measures

All applications for export licences for military equipment must be accompanied by an end-user certificate. For arms classified as Military Equipment for Combat Purposes the end-user certificate must be verified by the Swedish Embassy in the importing country. Sample of different types of end-user certificates can be found at www.isp.se. If an item imported to Sweden should be re-exported from Sweden, the original exporting State would be notified for approval.

Sweden supports efforts within the UN towards agreed criteria for the requirement of EUC (End-user Certificates) as part of transfer controls aiming at preventing, combating and eradicating illicit trade of SALW.





Section II, para 13 Re-export authority

All types of end-user certificate contain some kind of clause forbidding the re-export.

Section II, para 14 Regulation of arms brokers, legal and enforcement tools.

The Military Equipment Act covers brokering activities that are conducted in Sweden and also brokering activities that are conducted abroad by Swedish companies and persons who are resident or permanently domiciled in Sweden. Involvement in brokering activities requires a permit. In addition a license is required for individual transactions by companies and persons mentioned above in case the brokering takes place between two third countries regarding military equipment already abroad. An application for such activities is assessed against the national guidelines for exportation of military equipment. All goods covered by the List of military equipment, including SALW, are covered by the provisions on brokering. Since brokers are obliged to acquire a permit from the ISP, the inspectorate keeps a record of all brokers.

The EU member states have adopted a common position on arms brokering. Sweden supported and contributed to a seminar on Transfer Controls Initiative in Managua, Nicaragua, 7-8 October 2004. Sweden supports efforts to set up a panel of Governmental Experts at the UN to make recommendations with regard to the prevention of illicit arms brokering.

Section II, para 15, 32 Enforcement of UNSC embargoes; penalties for violation.

Enforcement of UNSC arms embargoes in Sweden is ensured by the national export control regulations. The Firearms Act and the Military Equipment Act provide penalties for violations of those regulations.

In 2002 Sweden produced a study on targeted sanctions: "Making Targeted Sanctions Effective: Guidelines for the Implementation of UN Policy Options" ("the Stockholm process"). The study was presented to the UN Security Council in early 2003. The guidelines address arms embargoes, financial sanctions, travel bans, aviation bans and targeted trade sanctions (including Rough Diamonds Control).





Section II, para 16, 19 Section III, para 14 Destruction of surplus, confiscated, seized, collected SA/LW

The regional police authorities together with the Swedish Forensics Laboratory are responsible for destruction of confiscated or seized SALW. The method most commonly used is smelting. Destruction protocols are kept with the police authorities. At present, the Police may authorize a company or an individual to carry out a destruction process. A destruction certificate, including information on manufacturer, serial number, weapon license, destruction technique, must then be submitted to the Police. However, there is a proposal that the Swedish Forensics Laboratory should be exclusively authorized to destroy civilian firearms. Whoever intends a weapon to be destroyed would, under this proposal, be able to hand it to the Swedish Forensics Laboratory. The proposal has been submitted for consideration. The Swedish Armed Forces are responsible for destruction of SALW in their possession identified as surplus. The normal procedure for destruction is using a metal shredding mill. Small weapons, like pistols and submachine guns, are destroyed by smelting. Destruction protocols are kept by the armed forces.

Destruction of surpluses of SALW, including ammunition, is sometimes part of Swedish support for projects aimed at combating illicit trade of SALW, for instance in Albania and Georgia. See details of Swedish projects in annex 1.

Sweden supports destruction of SALW within the context of programs for DDR. Sweden also supports efforts within the OSCE towards destruction of surpluses of SALW including ammunition. The EU also provides support to SALW destruction programs





Section II, para 17, 29 Management and security of national stockpiles

Rules for construction, specifications of requirements, security of transports etc for stockpiles are regulated in the Swedish Armed Forces regulations (FFS 2000:1). The Headquarters and the Swedish Rescue Services Agency are responsible for monitoring that stockpiles comply with the regulations. Stockpiles containing firearms and ammunition require strong physical protection. As a rule firearms are stockpiled underground or within military establishments. Physical security measures include electronic alarm systems and rapid reaction units. Firearms and ammunition are normally kept in separate stockpiles. Access to stockpiles is regulated and documented. Stockpiled firearms are inventoried every third year. An annual inventory takes place of firearms handed over to users. The inventory result is kept on file for at least five years. There are plans for each stockpile containing firearms or ammunition as to how the police and/or military reaction unit are to act in the event of an emergency situation. Loss/theft of firearms are reported to the Armed Forces Headquarters and the Police. If theft or loss is suspected to be a crime under the Penal Code it is handled by a civilian court. In other cases, the matter is dealt with within the Armed Forces and any sanctions are imposed by the Swedish Armed Forces Staff Discipline Board. Training is provided to all affected staff, including rapid reaction units, with regard to threat scenarios, security service, inventory procedures, etc.


Section II, para 18 Regular review of States’ stocks, identification of surplus, safe storage, disposal/destruction

See section II, para 17, 19 The main criteria for identifying surplus SALW in Sweden have been the reductions in the size of the Armed Forces and their restructuring. Between 1989 and 2003 more than 480 000 SALW were identified as surplus and therefore destroyed. Technological changes are the most common criteria when defining surplus weapons within the Police Surplus SALW in the position of the Armed Forces and the Security Forces are destroyed according to the routine procedure.

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Section II, para 20, 40, and 41 CBMs, public awareness programs about illicit trade of SA/LW; encourage role of civil society

The government meets regularly with national NGOs and supports the efforts of civil society in raising awareness about illicit trade of SALW. There is a Swedish Network on Small Arms (SANSA). There is also a committee within the Parliament addressing the issue of SALW. Through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Sweden supports several actors in their work to implement the Programme of Action. The support ranges from UN Department for Disarmament Affairs and parliamentary exchanges to international NGOs working to promote UN PoA.

See details in annex 1 of Swedish support for SALW -related projects. The Swedish Government supports activities organized by NGOs (SANSA, Swedish Red Cross etc) and the Swedish Parliamentary SALW Association.

Sweden supports and participates in the OSCE /SALW information exchange. The Swedish Government supported in September 2004 the organization of “The Permanent Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which was hosted by the Swedish and Finnish Parliaments.

Section II, para 21, 30, 34 ; Section III, para 16 Support effective DD&R, including collection, storage, destruction of SA/LW; Int'l assistance for same

The Swedish Government has initiated an international process aiming at improving the environment in which a DDR-program is to be implemented. The process, called the Stockholm initiative on DDR, is focusing on the political and financial aspects of a DDR process, within the framework of a peace process. The goal is to find transitional mechanisms that can secure the immediate post-conflict situation and create the best possible preconditions for peace and development. The SIDDR will result in a report containing recommendations for international actors involved in DDR-programs. It will also highlight some complicated areas in need of further elaboration. The Swedish National Defence College, (SNDC), supports DDR activities, including training of both national and international members of armed forces, civilian police, government officials and members of non-governmental organisations.

Sweden has provided support for DDR programs in several regions and countries see annex 1.

Sweden has, through the Swedish National Defence College, participated in the development of the OSCE "Best Practices Guide" on SALW in DD&R -processes. The SNDC is engaged in maintaining and expanding an international network of DDR-experts in which theoretical and practical knowledge and experience can be shared. Finally the SNDC is engaged in international activities aimed at developing the DDR concept i.e. the SIDDR and the Integrated DDR Standards, intended to assist the UN system in the planning, management and monitoring of DDR programmes in a peacekeeping environment.


The programme includes training, both national and international, network building and international activities. The training programme has been developed among the Swedish, Norwegian, German and Canadian partners in the project and courses are given at various places annually. Normally the course programme is 2 weeks long. The course curriculum provides for the effective collection, control, storage and destruction of SALW, as the major part of the disarmament sessions. The special needs of children affected by armed conflict and their reintegration into civil society is also an important part of the course curricula.

Section II, para 22 Special needs of children in armed conflict, rehabilitation, and reintegration

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is collaborating with partners such as UNICEF and Save the Children on the reintegration of child soldiers in, for example, Colombia and Sudan. In 2005, the Agency also published a report on prevention of the recruitment of child soldiers.

Sweden provides financial non-earmarked support to the Office of the UN SRSG for Children in Armed Conflicts. Sweden also finances projects that focus on the needs of children. See annex 1.





Section II, para 23 Voluntary submissions on destruction, illicit trade; transparency in laws and regulations.

The Firearms Act and the Firearms Ordinance, the Military Equipment Act and the Military Equipment Ordinance as well as other related legislation are available on the internet (www.riksdagen.se) The Government submits on a yearly basis a public document to the Swedish Parliament on "the Swedish Export Control Policy and Exports of Military Equipment".

Sweden has provided information on legislation and regulations on export, import, manufacture, stockpiling and destruction of surpluses the OSCE. Information exchange also takes place within the EU. Sweden annually reports to the voluntary UN Register on Conventional Arms

Section II, para 24 (regional) Designation of regional and sub-regional POC on POA Implementation

Sara Brandt-Hansen Departement for Global Security Ministry for Foreign Affairs S-103 39 Stockholm fax: +46/8/ 723 11 76 tel: +46/8/405 57 34 [email protected]

Section II, para 25, 26 Encourage, where appropriate, negotiation or strengthening of regional instruments to combat illicit trade

See annex 1.

Sweden together with the other EU member states support efforts to transform the ECOWAS moratorium into a legally binding convention inclusive a mechanism for SALW at the ECOWAS secretariat. Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has been granting support to the Nairobi process as well as the implementation of the Inter-American Firearms Convention through OAS and UN.





Section II, para 27,28 Law enforcement cooperation, information sharing, implementing existing laws by region

The Swedish Customs operates under the provisions of the Law on International Customs Cooperation (SFS 2000:1219) and other agreements that Sweden is bound by, i.e. agreements acceded to by the European Union

Sweden through Sida provides financial support to the Parliamentary Exchange Initiative on SALW in Latin America and the Caribbean. For details on other projects see annex 1. See also earlier entry on the Permanent Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons. The Swedish Government has provided financial support to a Swedish NGO, SweFor (The Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation) for it to assist the Swedish Parliamentary SALW Association.

Sweden has provided financial support for the organization of the 2004 annual meeting of the Permanent Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons. Exchange of information in the EU takes place with regard to transfer of SALW through a system of national points of contacts. Sweden is an active member of the Baltic Sea Region Border Control Cooperation (BSRBCC) which is aimed at combating international crime in the Baltic Sea Region. The cooperation is both strategic and operative. Sweden also plays an active role in various working groups of the operative committee (OPC) of the Chiefs of Governments’ Task Force against organized crime. The objective of the OPC is to enhance the cooperation between the law enforcing agencies in the Baltic Sea Region.

Section II, para 31 Encourage regional transparency

Sweden supports and provides information to the UN Register of Conventional Arms. Sweden participates in the OSCE exchange of information on SALW. Exchange of information takes place also within the EU. Sweden participates in the Wassenaar Arrangement.


Section II, para 33 (global) Provide voluntary reports to UN DDA on progress on implementing the POA

This is the second national report on implementation of the UN PoA.

Section II, para 35 Encourage UNSC, where applicable, to include DDR for peace operations

The Stockholm Initiative on DDR (SIDDR) aims at elaborating recommendations which may be useful in the context of UNSC consideration of mandates of peace operations.

Sweden through SNDC supports the UN Interagency efforts to elaborate common standards for DDR.




Section II, para 36 Strengthen the ability of states to identify and trace illicit SA/LW

Sweden actively supports and participates in UN negotiations aiming at an international instrument on marking and tracing of SALW.

The Swedish Government actively supports the EU efforts to achieve a legally binding instrument on marking and tracing of SALW within the UN. Sweden (the National Police Board) participates in a project within the EU (Enfopol 16) aiming at improving co-operation and exchange of information between police services regarding marking of arms and tracing of illicit SALW..

Section II, para 37 Cooperation with Interpol and WCO to identify and prosecute illicit traffickers

Sweden co-operates with Interpol and WCO within the regular work of the law enforcement agencies. Certain arms confiscation data are reported to the WCO’s database CEN (Customs Enforcement Network). Furthermore Sweden also cooperates on a regular basis with Europol in this area.





Section II, para 38 Encourage states to ratify int'l legal instruments on terror and global crime.

Within the EU, a framework decision on combating terrorism was adopted in June 2002. The framework decision contains a definition of acts that shall be deemed to be terrorist offences. In Sweden, new legislation implementing the EU framework decision – the Act on Criminal Responsibility for Terrorist Offences – entered into force in July 2003. Sweden has ratified all global conventions relating to terrorism except one (the Convention on the marking of plastic explosives for the purpose of detection). Furthermore, Sweden has ratified the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime on 30 April 2004 as well as its Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, on 1 July 2004.

Section II, para 39 Develop common understanding on illicit brokering and work to combat same.

The member states of EU have adopted a common position on arms brokering. The participating States of OSCE have adopted Principles on the Control of Brokering. Sweden supports efforts to set up a panel of Governmental Experts at the UN to make recommendations with regard to the prevent of illicit arms brokering.


Section III, para 1-3, 6 Promote international coordination/ cooperation, technical and financial assistance in implementing POA

Sweden supports bilateral and multilateral SALW-related projects aiming at combating the illicit trade in SALW through implementation of the PoA. For details see annex 1. Sweden has participated in regional and global conferences and meetings in 2004 in support of the implementation of the PoA (including in Nairobi, Managua, Helsinki, Buenos Aires, Brussels and Warzaw).





Section III, para 7 Information exchange among experts.

The Swedish National Defence College (SNDC), the Swedish Red Cross and the Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation have developed a train-the-trainers program on DDR on both a national and an international level. The target groups of the project are staff and students at the Swedish Police and Military Academies and in the regular public school system.

See annex 1. The Swedish National Defence College (SNDC) annually provides support to various international courses and conferences. Participants on these occasions represent a broad range of societal institutions, such as armed forces, civilian police, government organisations and non-governmental organisations for example SANSA in cooperation with the Swedish Red Cross. These conferences focus on trying to widen and deepen the current knowledgebase, as well as exchanging new theoretical and practical knowledge and experiences on SALW. The curriculum for the courses often contain sections on effective collection, control, storage and destruction of SALW.

Information exchange among experts includes seminars, conferences on regional and global levels, meetings in the EU, OSCE, the Wassenaar Arrangement and NGO-meetings etc.

Section III, para 8 Regional and int'l programs for training in stockpile management and security

Sweden has supported training within the framework of OSCE. Sweden through the Swedish National Defence College contributed to the OSCE “Handbook of Best Practices on Small Arms and Light Weapons”. (a chapter on DDR, which had a special focus on the Disarmament part of a DDR program).

Section III, para 9 Support for Interpol IWETS database


Section III, para 10, 11 Develop technologies, cooperate on tracing illicit weapons

Sweden (the National Police Board) participates in a project within the EU (Enfopol 16) aiming at improving co-operation and exchange of information between police services regarding marking of arms and tracing of illicit SALW.

Section III, para 13 Mutual legal assistance in investigations of illicit trade in SA/LW

Sweden co-operates with Interpol within the regular work of the law enforcement agencies. Furthermore Sweden also cooperates on a regular basis with Europol in this area.





Section III, para 15 Assistance to combat illicit trade related to drugs, crime and terror

In support of the work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes related to counterterrorism, Sweden has contributed with 350 000 Euro for a project to strengthen the rule of law in the process of implementing international agreements in DAC states. Sweden has also contributed with 5 000 Euro to the UNODC workshop on “Enhancing Legal Cooperation in Criminal Matters Related to Terrorism” on 15 April 2005. Additionally, Sweden supports the establishment of the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC) by the Indonesian Government. The Centre’s aim is to enhance the expertise of people envolved in the fight against transnational criminality in the region, with particular focus on counterterrorism. The Centre will receive 200 000 Euro from Sweden during 2004-2005.

Section III, para 17 Address development concern as they relate to SA/LW proliferation

The Swedish policy on conflict prevention, conflict management and peace building addresses the uncontrolled proliferation of SALW and development. Activities related to SALW are focused on how to enhance security and stability in post-conflict situations, including DD&R programs and Security Sector Reform. Other areas addressed with preventive measures are culture of violence and culture of weapons.

Various project in support of Swedish policy on conflict prevention, conflict management and peace building. See annex 1.

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Section IV, para 1 Review conference by 2006; biennial meetings on implementation of POA; UN study on tracing; further steps to combat illicit brokering

Sweden considers follow up of UN PoA as an important part in effectively addressing the illicit trade of SALW. Exchange of information by producing national reports on implementation is one such measure. Part of the follow up process should also be to consider how certain parts in the PoA could be further strengthened as described in section IV, para 1 with regard to international cooperation on tracing of SALW as well as on brokering. Sweden also support the Transfer Control Initiative aiming at achieving an agreed understanding on minimum criteria for the transfer of SALW. Sweden remains committed to participate actively in the follow up process to the UN PoA.

Sweden supported and contributed to a seminar on Transfer Controls Initiative in Managua, Nicaragua, 7-8 October 2004. Sweden also supports efforts to set up a panel of Governmental Experts at the UN to make recommendations with regard to the prevention of illicit arms brokering.

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