21 sep INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE- PARLIAMENTARY ACTION FOR ARMED VIOLENCE PREVENTION IS VITAL
Today on the United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Peace dedicated to observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire, as Board members and the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PFSALW) we wish to highlight the important role of parliamentarians in preventing Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)- related violence to promote more peaceful and sustainably developed societies.
The world of today is marked by democracy back-lash, armed conflicts and violence. According to the recent annual Global Peace Index 2021, global peacefulness has deteriorated for the ninth time in a row. A new trend is noted having emerged during the pandemic with a significant increase in political instability and civil unrest. Armed conflicts and violence, independent of their scale, are perpetuated by the uncontrolled availability of SALW and severely impacts on the everyday lives of women, men, girls and boys around the world. Over a billion SALW are circulating globally of which approximately 85% are in civilian hands, causing the death of 223 300 people every year and injuring many more.
The uncontrolled proliferation of SALW plays a major role in topical global conflicts. For example, regarding the situation in Afghanistan, the uncontrolled flow of SALW was severe even before the recent Taliban take-over. Now it has become very serious, with a vast flow of uncontrolled arms, left by mainly the United States, in the hands of the Taliban, as reported by for example the Wall Street Journal and several other sources. Undoubtedly, this heightens risks of serious violation of international humanitarian law or international human rights law; affecting the rights and security of the population, especially exposing girls and women.
In the face of the current global pandemic crisis, the capacity of states to uphold and efficiently exercise the arms control regime is at risk when resources are reallocated to health, social and economic responses. In fragile states already affected by poverty and social and political instability, the pandemic is reinforcing economic hardship and conflict, in turn increasing the risk of civil unrest and violence. As highlighted by the United Nations’ (UN) Secretary General (SG) in his Global Appeal for Ceasefire in March 2020 and reiterated on the 75th Anniversary of the UN in October the same year, the need is palpable to silence the guns in the midst of the pandemic to allow life-saving aid to reach those most vulnerable.
The urgency of the situation calls for concise and effective steps at the national, regional and international levels for armed violence prevention on behalf of parliamentarians through their legislative, oversight and awareness raising functions as to create more peaceful and sustainable developed societies. In the midst of a global pandemic crisis, parliamentarians must ensure that peacebuilding with the prevention of SALW-related violence as an integrated part, is placed at the centre of strategies for societal peaceful recovery.
The key theme of the International Day of Peace 2021 is to recover better for an equitable and sustainable world. As has become evident during the current pandemic, political will and strong and resilient institutions are vital in order to adequately address societal, economic and health crises. However, parliamentarians are often neglected in development initiatives, which means the potential of parliamentary action in contributing to armed violence prevention and reduction is lost. Low parliamentary capacity and weak institutions in developing countries may in turn lead to distrust in democratic systems and pave the way for authoritarian rule. This is particularly worrying as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is reporting an increase in human rights violations, including threats, acts of intimidation and violence against parliamentarians, especially women parliamentarians, further justifying support to parliamentarians.
Hence, strengthening the role of parliamentarians is vital in order to safeguard peace, democracy and sustainable development. In these circumstances, investing in parliamentary institutions and organisations is imperative. PFSALW’s work to build the capacity of parliamentarians is not only relevant to prevent SALW- related violence, it also contributes to increased ownership, political accountability and consolidation of the parliamentary role as a whole, ultimately strengthening democratic and resilient institutions and the overall capacity to recover better for an equitable and sustainable world.
The world needs to unite for peace and sustainable development, as to build back better globally. Together we can contribute to more peaceful societies through armed violence prevention. Together we can make a positive impact for women, men, girls and boys worldwide.
Hon. Daisy Tourné
President Board
Former Senator, Former Minister of Interior
Uruguay
Parliamentary Forum on SALW
Hon. Dr. Raphael Chegeni
Vice President Board
Member of Parliament Tanzania
Parliamentary Forum on SALW
Mr. Christer Winbäck
Group leader for the Liberal Party, Skövde
Former Member of the Swedish Parliament
Co-founder, Adjunct Board member
Parliamentary Forum on SALW
Ms. Karin Olofsson
Secretary General
Parliamentary Forum on SALW