Postal Address Telephone SE Stockholm SWEDEN

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1 Stockholm, 5 May 2003 Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sweden Swedish national report on the implementation of the UN Programme of Action (PoA) to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Lights Weapons in all its aspects The Swedish report takes the form of a matrix that describes Swedish national implementation as well as regional and global activity in support of the UN PoA. An overview of Swedish financial assistance in support of the PoA is also attached to the report. Combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons is a crucial component of the efforts to improve international, regional and national security as well as human security. The international community must continue to develop its co-operation and common understanding in areas such as: export controls, including control of arm dealers, increased transparency in arms trade, marking and tracing of arms, improvement in management of stockpiles and destruction of surplus weapons. The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons contributes to escalating and prolonging conflicts and threatens to weaken already fragile societies. The PoA (section III, para 4) encourages states to, upon request, promote conflict prevention. The issue of conflict prevention continues to be a priority in Swedish foreign policy. Addressing the root causes of the demand for small arms and light weapons is of fundamental importance in preventing armed conflicts. In cases where conflict has already broken out and subsided, successful disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DD&R) of excombatants into civilian society is crucial to prevent a relapse into conflict. It is important in this regard to focus on all aspects of a DD&R process, not least the sometimes more long-term reintegration process that is closely linked to economic and social development. Sweden considers the follow-up process of the UN PoA to be an important part in effectively addressing the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. Postal Address Telephone SE Stockholm ud.registrator@foreign.ministry.se SWEDEN Visitors' address Fax Telex Fredsgatan MINFOR S

2 Ministry for Foreign Affairs 2(2) Stockholm, 5 May 2003 Exchange of information through national reports on implementation is one such measure. Part of the follow-up process should also be to consider how parts of the PoA could be further strengthened (as described in the section IV, para 1) with regard to international co-operation on identifying and tracing small arms and light weapons as well as on illicit brokering. Sweden remains committed to participating actively in the implementation of the UN PoA to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Lights Weapons in all its aspects, both with regard to policy formulation, and to concrete assistance to those in need. Hans Lundborg Director Department for Global Security

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4 2 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 Weapons Act and the Military Equipment Act provide penalties for violations. The Act of Penalties for smuggling (2000:1225) as well as the Penal Code (1962:700) also provide penalties for violations. 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 improvement of the Directive and modifications required due to 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") was referred for consideration to all Swedish authorities and agencies, including some NGOs dealing with SALW-issues. The agencies were asked to comment on eventual necessary

5 3 measures to be taken in order to fully implement these documents. The results included a number of suggestions for improvements as regards national procedures etc. The suggestions have been and will be further considered. The results have for example been used in putting together this report. Section II, para 6 Identify groups associated with illicit SA/LW activities The Swedish law enforcement agencies are responsible for identifying groups and individuals associated with illicit SALW activities and for taking action under the appropriate laws..

6 4 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 Weapons Act nor the Military Equipment Act contain legal requirements for marking firearms at the time of production. 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. Future permits to manufacture weapons will require that the weapons are marked with a manufacture's stamp. Furthermore all SALW procured by the Swedish Armed Forces, The Customs, the Coast Guard and the Police are marked at the place of manufacture. The are marked with the manufacturer's stamp and a unique number. Sweden (the National Police Board) has participated 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 9 "Record keeping" on manufacture, holding, and transfer Section II, para 7, 10 Identification and traceability of arms 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. The National Police Authority is responsible for tracing firearms. For example the central register on missing/stolen firearms is used to identify and trace firearms..

7 5 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, which covers 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 EU Code of Conduct contains eight criteria against which each member state shall assess export licenses for military equipment on a case-by-case basis. Member states shall circulate details of licenses refused in accordance with the code together with an explanation of why the license has been refused. The Weapons Act regulates the import of firearms, which requires an application. These applications are examined by the Police. A seminar for the Baltic and Nordic countries on the application of the Code was hosted by Sweden during the spring Section II, para 12 End-user certification, legal and enforcement measures All applications for exports of military equipment must be accompanied by an enduser certificate. For arms classified as Military Equipment for Combat Purposes the end-user certificate must be controlled by the Swedish Embassy in the importing country. Sample of different types of enduser certificates can be found at If an item imported by Swedish authorities should be re-exported from Sweden the original exporting State would certainly be notified for approval.

8 6 Section II, para 13 Re-export authority All types of end-user certificate contain some kind of clause forbidding the reexport. Section II, para 14 Regulation of arms brokers, legal and enforcement tools. Section II, para 15, 32 Enforcement of UNSC embargoes; penalties for violation. The Military Equipment Act covers brokering activities that are conducted in Sweden and also 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 gods covered by the List of military equipment, including SALW, are covered by the control of brokerage. Since brokers are obliged to acquire a permit from the ISP, the inspectorate keeps a record of all brokers. Enforcement of UNSC arms embargoes in Sweden is done through application of the national export control regulations. The Weapons Act and the Military Equipment Act provide penalties for violations of those regulations. In the framework of an EU Council preparatory body the member states of EU are examining a draft common position on arms brokering. Sweden attended the conference on illicit arms brokering in Oslo, Norway on April 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 The guidelines addresses arms embargoes, financial sanctions, travel bans, aviation bans and targeted trade sanctions (including Rough Diamonds Control)

9 7 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 sized SALW. The method most commonly used is smelting. Destruction protocols are kept with the police authorities. The police can 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. The armed forces are responsible for destruction of SALW identified as surplus in the armed forces. The normal procedure for destruction is letting SALW pass through 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. The EU also provides support to SALW destruction programs.

10 8 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 are to have a strong physical protection. As a rule firearms are stockpiled underground or within military establishments. Physical security measures include electronic alarm and reaction forces. Firearms and ammunition are normally kept in separate stockpiles. The right to have keys and codes for 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 to be 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 force are to act in the event of deployment to a stockpile if an emergency situation occurs. Loss/theft of firearms are to be reported to the armed forces headquarters and the police. If a theft or loss is suspected as a crime under the Penal Code it is handled by a civilian court. In other cases, the matter is to be dealt with within the Armed Forces and any sanctions are imposed by the Swedish Armed Forces Staff Discipline Board. Training is to be provided to all affected staff, including reaction forces, with regard to the threat scenario, security service, inventory procedures etc Some training of personnel from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania has taken place in conjunction with the transfer of SALW.

11 Section II, para 18 Regular review of States stocks, identification of surplus, safe storage, disposal/destruction IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT FOR THE UN PROGRAMME OF ACTION ON SA/LW 9 See section II, para 17, 19 The main criteria for identifying surplus SALW in Sweden have been the restructuring of the armed forces and military reductions. Between 1989 and 2001 more than SALW were identified as surplus and therefor destroyed. Technological changes are the most common criteria when defining surplus weapons within the Police. 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. See details in annex 1 of Swedish support for SALW-related projects. Sweden supports and participate in the OSCE /SALW information exchange. Information exchange also takes place in the EU. 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 National Defence College conducts a broad programme on DD&R with support from the Swedish International Development and Co-operation Agency (Sida). 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. Sweden has provided support for DDR programs in several regions and countries see annex 1. Sweden is leading the development of the OSCE "best Practices guide" on SALW in DD&R -processes. 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

12 10 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 Sweden gives 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 Weapons Act and the Weapons Ordinance, the Military Equipment Act and the Military Equipment Ordinance as well as other related law are available on the internet ( 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. Section II, para 24 (regional) Designation of regional and sub-regional POC on POA implementation Sara Uddenberg Departement for Global Security Ministry for Foreign Affairs Stockholm fax: +46/8/ tel: +46/8/ sara.uddenberg@foreign.ministry.se

13 11 Section II, para 25, 26 Encourage, where appropriate, negotiation or strengthening of regional instruments to combat illicit trade Sweden is at the moment analyzing what measures that need to be taken with regard to national legislation in order to ratify the "UN Firearms Protocol". Sweden has provided support for the realization of the ECOWAS-moratorium. See details in annex 1. Section II, para 27,28 Law enforcement cooperation, information sharing, implementing existing laws by region For example Sweden (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. Swedish parliamentarians participate in the "Parliamentary Exchange Initiative on SALW in Latin America and the Caribbean." So far successful meetings have been held in Stockholm (twice), Managua, San José, Madrid and Panama. Exchange of information in the EU takes place with regard to transfer of SALW through a system of national points of contacts. 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 in the EU. Sweden participates in the Wassenaar Arrangement.

14 Section II, para 33 (global) IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT FOR THE UN PROGRAMME OF ACTION ON SA/LW 12 This is the first national report on implementation of the UN PoA. Provide voluntary reports to UN DDA on progress on implementing the POA Section II, para 35 Encourage UNSC, where applicable, to include DDR for peace operations Section II, para 36 Strengthen the ability of states to identify and trace illicit SA/LW Section II, para 37 Cooperation with Interpol and WCO to identify and prosecute illicit traffickers Sweden (the National Police Board) has participated 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. Sweden co-operates with Interpol and WCO within the regular work of the law enforcement agencies. Furthermore Sweden also cooperates on a regular basis with Europol in this area.

15 13 Section II, para 38 Encourage states to ratify int'l legal instruments on terror and global crime. Section II, para 39 Develop common understanding on illicit brokering and work to combat same. Section III, para 1-3, 6 Promote international coordination/ cooperation, technical and financial assistance in implementing POA Within the EU a framework decision on combating terrorism was adopted in June The framework decision contains a definition of what kind of acts that will be regarded as terrorist crimes. The Swedish Parliament has adopted a bill containing a new act with a specific terrorist crime in order to implement the EU framework decision. The new legislation will enter into force in July 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 ratified all global conventions relating to terrorism except one (the Convention on the marking of plastic explosives for the purpose of detection). In the framework of an EU Council preparatory body the member states of EU are examining a draft common position on arms brokering. Sweden attended the conference on illicit arms brokering in Oslo, Norway on April Sweden has participated in regional and global conferences and meetings in support of the implementation of the PoA.

16 14 Section III, para 7 Information exchange among experts. Training is provided annually on different locations with support from the Swedish National Defence College. Participants in the courses represent a broad range of experts, such as the armed forces, the civilian police, government organisations and non-governmental organisations. There is a focus on trying to widen and deepen the network of people with theoretical and practical experience of DD&R and SALW. See annex 1. Information exchange among experts includes seminars, conferences on regional and global levels, meetings in the EU, NGOmeetings etc. Section III, para 8 Regional and int'l programs for training in stockpile management and security Training of personnel from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania has taken place in conjunction with transfer of SALW and other equipment. Section III, para 9 Support for Interpol IWETS database Section III, para 10, 11 Develop technologies, cooperate on tracing illicit weapons Section III, para 13 Mutual legal assistance in investigations of illicit trade in SA/LW Sweden (the National Police Board) has participated 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. 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.

17 15 Section III, para 15 Assistance to combat illicit trade related to drugs, crime and terror Section III, para 17 Address development concern as they relate to SA/LW proliferation Section IV, para 1 Review conference by 2006; biennial meetings on implementation of POA; UN study on tracing; further steps to combat illicit brokering 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. Sweden considers follow up of UN PoA as a 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 remains committed to participate actively in the follow up process to the UN PoA. Various project in support of Swedish policy on conflict prevention, conflict management and peace building. See annex 1. Sweden is acting as facilitator in the negotiations for a UN resolution on the prevention of armed conflicts where illicit trade of SALW is included.

18 Overview of projects related to SALW (decisions or/and disbursements) Annex 1 (Sida = the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency) Project Organisation Description of project Financed by Funding Duration Weapons collection Institute for Weapons collection and Sweden/Sida 2,5 million SEK project. Security Studies destruction. Capacity building. (ISS) DD&R: Demobilisation World Bank Disarmament, demobilisation and Sweden/Sida 10 million SEK Programme in Guinea- reintegration. Bissau. DD&R: Collection of UNDP Disarmament, demobilisation and Sweden/Sida 5.5 million SEK 2001 Weapons and reintegration. Reintegration of Excombatants. The development of a Swedish National DD&R: Capacity building and Sweden/Sida 3,2 million SEK resource database in Defence College awareness raising. DD&R and continued support for international course in DD&R. Regional Conference SweFOR Awareness raising and Sweden/Sida 0.6 million SEK 2001 on SALW. consensus building. Latinamerica Parliamentarian SweFOR Awareness raising, Sweden/Sida 2, 7 million SEK exchange programme, consensus building and on SALW, information sharing. Latinamerica Study on SALW Achan for Research for awareness raising. Sweden/Sida 0,2 million SEK 2001 in Uganda. Development of

19 Local Communities To enable Southern and Saferworld Consensus building, awareness Sweden/Sida 0,4 million SEK 2001 East African raising, research and analysis. Government experts to attend the UN small arms prep-com and conference in New York in March and July The development of American Friends Consensus building, awareness Sweden/Sida Part of a 3,5 million policy options and Service Committee raising, research and analysis. SEK project awareness raising on SALW. Weapons collection JPKF and OSSE Financing of medical equipment Sweden 0.2 million SEK 2002 project in exchange for weapons. Tsikanvali- South Ossetia. The SADC operational SADC:s A programme which promotes SADC:s 1-2,5 million USD programme. memberstates bordersupervision of the flow of memberstates over two years. weapons. PCASED. UNDP A programme which give Sweden 10 million SEK 5 years technical support to the realization of the ECOWASmoratorium. "Child soldiers: A research project Sweden/Sida 0.2 million SEK 2002 preventing child and Department of Peace youth recruitment" Uppsala University Military Expenditure SIPRI A research project Sweden/Sida 1 million SEK Data for African Countries.

20 Conflicts and Small SIPRI A researchproject for Sweden 1,4 million SEK Arms Transfers. collection of information of the flow of weapons to conflictareas. Small Arms Survey. Graduate Research on SALW issues, Sweden 0.7 million SEK Institute of information sharing etc International Studies, Geneva Disarmament and UN-LiREC Support for the Small Arms and Sweden 0,3 million SEK development in Light Weapons Administration Latinamerica (SALSA) System. Disarmament in Africa UN-REC "Small Arms Transparency and Sweden 0.2 million SEK 2002 Control Regime in Africa" (SACTRA) Trustfund for World Bank Disarmament, demobilisation and Sweden 2 million SEK 2002 reintegration of reintegration. ex-soldiers in Sierra Leone. The UNDP: Programme UNDP Development of legislation, Sweden 1,5 million SEK 2001 for Coordination and weapon databases and taking Assistance on Security care of weapon surplus. and Development (PCASED). DD&R World Bank DD&R of ex-combatants Sweden/Sida 24 million SEK 2001 Cambodia "SALW Control Project" World Bank Collection and control of SALW Sweden/Sida 7 million SEK Albania

21 Conflict prevention, CIVIS Awareness raising, information, Sweden/Sida 13, 1 million SEK including SALW culture of violance/weapons in Colombia DD&R; focus on Save the Children, Demobilisation and reintegration Sweden/Sida 7 million SEK children in south Sudan Sweden of child soldiers Various SALW Arias Foundation Awareness raising, national Sweden/Sida 4.5 million SEK activities Latinamerica legislation on SALW Humanitarian support Swedish Church Peacebuilding with focus on Sweden/Sida 2.6 million SEK 2002 including DD&R in Lutherhjälpen re-integration of ex soldiers Sierra Leone Child soldiers Unicef Preventing recruitment of Sweden/Sida 4 million SEK 2002 DRC child soldiers DD&R UNDP Disarmament, demobilisation Sweden/Sida 5 million SEK 2002 Kongo-Brazzaville and re-integration of ex-soldiers Peacebuilding Swedish Church Local reconciliation and Sweden/Sida 1,4 million SEK 2002 Liberia Lutherhjälpen capacity building, including security sector reform Peacebuildning UNDP/UNOPS Many componants, including Sweden/Sida 35 million SEK Afghanistan re-integration of former combatants Multi-Country DD&R- World Bank A regional framework for DD&R Sweden/Sida 20 million SEK 2002 program processes of soldiers involved in Great Lakes Region the conflict in DRC Legal and HR program UNDP DD&R of ex-combatants Sweden/Sida 5 million SEK 2002 Somaila Reform of legal system, incl, police Mine-clearance

22 Humanitarian support; Save the Children Several activities, including Sweden/Sida 34 million SEK focus children UK DD&R of children DRC Regional program for SweFOR Includes continuation of the Sweden/Sida 4.4 million SEK disarmament and parliamentarian exchange on demobilisation SALW, awereness raising etc Latinamerica Rights of children and Government of Includes several components, Sweden/Sida 26 million SEK women in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka special focus on children affected by armed conflict Re-integration of Association of Re-integration of the members of Sweden/Sida 0.4 million SEK 2002 ex-soldiers Sri Lanka Disable ex-service the association into society Personnel DD&R Government DD&R program for Sweden/Sida 20 million SEK Guinea Bissau Guinea Bissau; ex-soldiers Coordinator Correia Propaz - Program de Diakonia Conflict resolution, DD&R of ex- Sweden/Sida 0.3 million SEK 2002 Promocao de Paz soldiers incl, women Mozambique Destruction of SALW Nato PfP (Namsa) Peacebuilding: destruction of Sweden/Sida 1 million SEK 2003 Albania SALW ammunition UN SRSG for Children UN Support for the work of the SRSG Sweden 0.7 million SEK 2002 in Armed Conflicts