Disarmament
Disarmament is the goal of preventing war, and it also aims to protect civilians. A good example of a disarmament regime is the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, a key instrument of international humanitarian law. This treaty includes five protocols that seek to prohibit or restrict the use of specific kinds of weapons. These include landmines, incendiary weapons, laser weapons, and explosive remnants of war. A landmine is a device in which a person can step on and die instantly. While most victims of landmine accidents are in countries that are at peace, these devices are still a huge threat to civilians.
Humanitarian disarmament
Humanitarian disarmament is a broad concept. The idea is to eliminate or at least greatly limit the use of weapons that can cause harm to civilians and communities. These weapons can cause suffering decades after a conflict has ended. Humanitarian disarmament aims to do this by focusing on the human suffering caused by weapons. It is guided by the principles of International Humanitarian Law.
The humanitarian approach to arms control
The humanitarian approach to arms control is rooted in international humanitarian law, which emphasizes the preservation of human life and the protection of civilians from the adverse consequences of war. In addition, humanitarian efforts should focus on making the impact of war visible. For example, the Million Faces petition, organized by the International Action Network on Small Arms, aims to raise awareness about the negative impacts of such weapons. It was recently presented to the UN Secretary-General.
Arms control
Arms control and disarmament agreements have a long history, but it's not always easy to reach agreement on the issues that matter most. In the past, these agreements were designed to stabilize the military climate and reduce the likelihood of hostilities. While these agreements provided an improved international environment, they didn't address a number of contentious issues, like the use of nuclear weapons. However, controlling armaments is a critical issue that requires diplomacy and a willingness to work with different countries to resolve their differences.
Arms control agreements
Arms control agreements limit the production, testing, and deployment of weapons. They help countries avoid costly miscalculations. Arms control agreements also benefit countries economically. By limiting the development of dangerous weapons, governments can redirect funds that would otherwise be spent on other activities.
Small arms and light weapons
Small arms and light weapons disarmament is an important topic for UNSC members to discuss at the UNGA. The issue is a global one, affecting countries from the North to South. Small arms proliferation is a problem of human security, transnational organized crime, and poverty. The United States has been a major impediment to small arms disarmament. However, the UNSC can make a difference.
Weak action program
The conference produced a weak action program, lacking provisions to launch processes and develop legally binding agreements, encourage domestic control of small arms possession, and improve transparency mechanisms. These proposals would have been more beneficial if they had included provisions limiting the export and possession of small arms to non-state actors.
Cooperative security
Cooperative security and disarmament is a process in which countries with common interests work together to reduce tensions and resolve disputes, enhance regional and global stability, and improve economic development prospects. Cooperative security is the process of eliminating nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, which are the primary source of conflict and instability. To achieve this goal, four steps need to be taken:
Rethinking international security
The first step is to rethink the way we think about international security. Many traditional ideas of national security equate it with building up military capabilities and modernization. Instead, cooperative security and disarmament should be rehabilitated as the cornerstone of national security.
Peace building
Peace building after disarmament is an important part of peacekeeping operations. These missions aim to bring peace to a region after a conflict, by restoring law and order, disarming warring factions, and de-mining or destroying weapons. They also help displaced people return home or reintegrate into their communities. These missions also assist in promoting social development and de-stigmatizing conflict.
Essential for safeguarding communities
Peacebuilding after disarmament is essential for safeguarding communities and establishing long-term peace, security, and development. In this context, DDR programmes have emerged as a mainstream part of UN peacekeeping operations. They aim to prevent violent conflict, restore the social fabric of societies, and develop human capacity in post-conflict countries.
