Armed violence

Currently in the world there are around 875 millions of conventional weapons being produced in 98 countries for more than 1.135 companies. It is estimated that on average more than 500.000 civilians die in a year, consequences of the use of weapons: a person per minute.

Problem

The weapons are one of the means to facilitate the perpetuation of many kinds of crimes and human right's violations, from crimes agaisn't the masses to crimes of gender like rape. The problem of the weapons doesn't restrict to areas of conflict. Studies show that two of three persons are killed with firearms in regions that are in peace.

Up to 2013, it didn't have a global treaty that regulates the international arms trade. Transference of weapons could be done freely to States or non-state actors that were involved in violations of the international humanitarian law and human rights. The absence of a wide regulation on conventional weapon's commercialization facilitates that they get into criminal hands.

Campaign

Civil society plays a fundamental role in preventing armed violence and in developing international norms on arms control. International organizations and networks conduct research, monitor arms transfers, engage with governments and multilateral organizations, participate in international negotiations, and advocate for the rights of people and communities affected by violence.

One of the main international networks in this field is the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), made up of civil society organizations working to reduce the harm caused by the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons. The network seeks to strengthen national and international arms control policies, expand civil society participation in United Nations discussions, and promote the implementation of commitments undertaken by States.

Among the mobilizations promoted by IANSA is the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, which brings together organizations, activists, and communities from different countries in awareness-raising, education, and advocacy actions. The campaign seeks to draw attention to the human impacts of armed violence and to the need for policies capable of preventing deaths, reducing illicit circulation, and strengthening the control of arms and ammunition.

Another important international initiative is Control Arms, created in 2003 with the aim of promoting and supporting the creation of an international treaty regulating the arms trade. It is a coalition composed of 100 groups and organizations present in various countries.

Control Arms led the global movement for the creation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), adopted in 2013, through advocacy, research, policy analysis, international grassroots mobilization, and media engagement, working with more than 300 partner organizations in all regions of the world. One of the campaign's communication strategies was the slogan that the global trade in bananas is more regulated than the arms trade, drawing attention to the lack of controls.

In 2011, the Control Arms Secretariat was established, and it began representing civil society sectors at diplomatic conferences on the issue. Currently, its work focuses on efforts to universalize the ATT and on implementing the obligations established under it.

international instruments

There is no single international treaty dedicated exclusively to preventing all forms of armed violence. Instead, different international instruments address complementary aspects of the problem. Some regulate the international arms trade, while others seek to combat illicit trafficking, establish marking and tracing mechanisms, or strengthen the management of stockpiles and ammunition.

Taken together, these instruments seek to reduce the possibilities that arms and ammunition will be diverted to illicit markets or used in conflicts, crime, and serious human rights violations. They also establish mechanisms for international cooperation, information exchange, and strengthening national control capacities.

Treaty on the Arms Trade – Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

The Arms Trade Treaty was adopted in 2013 and entered into force in December 2014. It establishes international standards to regulate transfers of conventional arms, including battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, large-caliber artillery systems, combat aircraft and helicopters, warships, missiles and missile launchers, as well as small arms and light weapons. The Treaty represented an important change in the international regulation of the arms trade because it established that decisions on transfers should not consider only economic, commercial, or strategic interests. States must also assess the potential humanitarian consequences of transferred arms and the risks associated with their use.

The ATT prohibits certain transfers and requires exporting States to conduct risk assessments before authorizing exports. These assessments must consider, among other factors, the possibility that the arms may be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law or human rights law.

The Treaty also establishes measures aimed at preventing diversion, a situation in which arms originally transferred legally end up reaching unauthorized users, organizations, or markets. To this end, it encourages cooperation, information exchange, and the adoption of national systems for controlling transfers.

In this way, the ATT consolidates a notion of responsibility in the international arms trade. Exporting, importing, and transit States have responsibilities related not only to the legality of the transfer, but also to the risks arising from it.

Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons – PoA

The United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects was adopted in 2001, in response to the recognition that the illicit circulation of these weapons contributes to conflict, crime, violence, and instability in various regions of the world. The Programme guides States in adopting national, regional, and international measures to strengthen the control of small arms and light weapons. These include the development of national legislation and institutions, secure stockpile management, combating illicit trafficking, cooperation between countries, information exchange, and the destruction of surplus or seized weapons.

Unlike an international treaty, the PoA is not legally binding. Nevertheless, it has become one of the main global political frameworks for cooperation on small arms and light weapons and has created an ongoing process for monitoring its implementation. States meet periodically within the United Nations to assess progress, share good practices, and discuss new challenges. This process allows issues such as emerging technologies, new forms of trafficking, regional cooperation, tracing, and stockpile management to be incorporated into the international debate.

International Tracing Instrument – ITI

The International Tracing Instrument (ITI) complements the Programme of Action and establishes commitments related to the marking, record-keeping, and tracing of illicit small arms and light weapons. Its objective is to enable States to identify and reconstruct the trajectory of weapons found in illicit circulation.

For a weapon to be traced, it must have appropriate markings and there must be reliable records of its manufacture, import, export, and other transfers. This information makes it possible to determine where a weapon was produced, which actors it passed through, and when a diversion to the illicit market may have occurred.

Tracing is important not only for individual criminal investigations. When carried out systematically, it also makes it possible to identify patterns of diversion, trafficking routes, intermediaries, and recurring sources of supply to criminal organizations or other armed groups. International cooperation is essential in this process, since a weapon may be manufactured in one country, traded in another, and seized in a third. The ITI seeks precisely to establish common standards that facilitate the exchange of information and tracing requests between different States.

Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management – GFA

Arms control, by itself, is not sufficient to address armed violence. The availability and circulation of ammunition are also central elements, since a weapon can remain in circulation for decades and continue to be used as long as there is access to new ammunition.

The Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management, adopted in 2023, establishes an international framework to promote the safe, secure, and sustainable management of conventional ammunition throughout its life cycle. The document addresses stages ranging from manufacturing and storage to transportation, transfer, use, and final disposal.

Inadequate management of ammunition stockpiles can generate different risks. These include accidental explosions in storage facilities, which can cause significant loss of life and material damage, as well as the diversion of ammunition to criminal organizations, armed groups, or illicit markets.

The GFA seeks to strengthen national standards for the safety, stockpile management, recording, transportation, and disposal of ammunition, as well as to encourage international cooperation and the sharing of good practices. Although it is not legally binding, the framework represents an important step toward recognizing ammunition as a central component of international policies for preventing armed violence.

Firearms Protocol

The Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition complements the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and primarily addresses the criminal dimension of illicit arms trade.

The Protocol establishes measures aimed at preventing, combating, and eradicating the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components, and ammunition. The issues addressed include the marking of firearms, record-keeping, the licensing of imports and exports, the security of transfers, and cooperation between national authorities.

Its role is particularly important in addressing transnational trafficking networks. Since firearms, parts, and ammunition can cross different jurisdictions before reaching the end user, cooperation between States is essential to identify routes, investigate criminal organizations, and disrupt illicit flows.

The Protocol, the Programme of Action, the International Tracing Instrument, and the Arms Trade Treaty have different but complementary approaches. While some instruments focus primarily on combating trafficking and tracing, others regulate international transfers or establish broader control commitments. Together, they form part of the international architecture for preventing illicit proliferation and armed violence.

and brazil?

Armed violence is particularly relevant to Brazil. The country has historically experienced high levels of lethal violence, deep social and territorial inequalities, and a significant presence of firearms in different forms of crime and violence. At the same time, Brazil has a relevant defense industry and participates in the international conventional arms market, which creates responsibilities both regarding domestic control and international transfers.

The prevention of armed violence in the country therefore involves different dimensions. It is necessary to control legally registered weapons, prevent theft, burglary, and diversion, combat domestic and international trafficking, improve the tracing of seized weapons, strengthen ammunition control, and produce information capable of guiding public policies. It is also essential to consider the inequalities that cause certain populations and territories to be disproportionately affected by violence.

Brazil and the Arms Trade Treaty

Brazil signed the Arms Trade Treaty in 2013 and ratified it in September 2018. As a State Party, it is subject to obligations related to the control of international arms transfers, the prevention of diversion, and the submission of the information and reports required by the Treaty.

Brazil's participation in the ATT is particularly relevant given the country's position as a producer and exporter of different categories of arms. Brazilian decisions on exports can therefore have effects beyond its borders and must take into account the humanitarian, human rights, and international humanitarian law criteria established by the Treaty.

In this context, civil society organizations have advocated for greater transparency regarding export authorizations, destination countries, the types and quantities of arms transferred, and the criteria used in risk assessments. The availability of this information is important so that society can assess whether transfers authorized by the Brazilian State are compatible with its international obligations.

The Brazilian debate also involves the need to reconcile these obligations with issues related to legitimate self-defense, foreign policy, and the interests of the national defense industry. The challenge is to ensure that economic and strategic considerations do not undermine the humanitarian and human rights criteria that constitute one of the foundations of the Treaty.

Brazil and the Programme of Action

Brazil has participated in the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons since its adoption in 2001 and attends international meetings dedicated to the implementation of the Programme. The PoA is particularly important for the country given the challenges related to transnational trafficking, arms diversion, and the circulation of small arms and light weapons in contexts of crime and violence.

Its implementation involves different areas of the State, including public security, defense, border control, justice, foreign affairs, and the systems responsible for the registration and oversight of firearms. This makes permanent coordination between different institutions and levels of government necessary.

The production and dissemination of information are also essential. National reports, data on seizures, and information on control policies make it possible to monitor the implementation of Brazil's commitments and identify gaps that need to be addressed.

Brazil and Arms Tracing

Brazil supports the International Tracing Instrument and has national mechanisms for the marking and registration of firearms. However, the existence of records does not, in itself, guarantee effective tracing. Systems need to be reliable, up to date, and capable of sharing information among the different authorities responsible for control and investigation.

This challenge is particularly important in a country of continental dimensions, with different institutions involved in the registration, oversight, and seizure of weapons. Strengthening the integration of databases and cooperation among agencies can significantly increase the ability to identify the origin of weapons found in criminal activities.

Systematic tracing also has a preventive dimension. By identifying recurring patterns of diversion, specific trafficking routes, or sources of supply, the State can develop more targeted policies and disrupt flows before new weapons reach illicit markets.

Brazil and Ammunition Management

Brazil supported the adoption of the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management in 2023. The implementation of its commitments provides an opportunity to strengthen national standards for the storage, transportation, registration, control, and disposal of ammunition.

This issue is relevant both to stockpiles maintained by public institutions and to the prevention of theft, loss, diversion, and accidents. More effective ammunition management can contribute not only to increasing the physical security of storage facilities, but also to making it more difficult for criminal organizations and other actors involved in armed violence to obtain supplies.

Ammunition control can also generate important information about the flows of violence. Data on the origin, lot, circulation, and seizure of ammunition can complement the tracing of the weapons themselves and help identify supply networks.

Brazil and the Firearms Protocol

Brazil is a State Party to the Firearms Protocol, which complements the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Its implementation is particularly relevant given the extent of Brazil's borders and the existence of transnational flows of firearms, parts, components, and ammunition in South America.

Addressing these flows depends on cooperation between countries, information exchange, joint investigations, and effective mechanisms for controlling imports, exports, and international transit. No country can address in isolation trafficking networks that operate across different jurisdictions.

At the same time, it is important to recognize that international trafficking represents only one of the possible sources of weapons used in violence. Weapons diverted from legal domestic markets can also supply illicit activities, reinforcing the need to combine border control with tracing, domestic oversight, and proper stockpile management.

The Brazilian Challenge

Preventing armed violence in Brazil does not depend on a single policy, nor can it be reduced solely to combating crime. It requires a combination of violence prevention measures, arms and ammunition control, oversight of transfers, combating trafficking, improving tracing, integrating information systems, secure stockpile management, and accountability for diversion and abusive use.

It also requires addressing the inequalities that cause certain groups and territories to be disproportionately affected by violence. A human rights-based policy must consider not only how many people are victims of armed violence, but also who these people are, where they live, which rights they are unable to exercise, and which conditions contribute to the continuation of violence.

Transparency and civil society participation are equally fundamental. Information on seized weapons, tracing, stockpiles, imports, exports, and the implementation of international commitments makes it possible to identify problems, evaluate public policies, and demand responses from authorities.

Ultimately, addressing armed violence means going beyond reducing homicide statistics. It means creating conditions in which people and communities can live without fear, use public spaces, attend schools and health services, work, participate in collective life, and fully exercise their rights.