resolution 1467
2003 adopted by the security council at its
4720
th meeting on
18 march 2003
the security council
decides to adopt the attached declaration on the item entitled proliferation of small arms and light weapons and mercenary activities threat to
peace and security
in west africa annex
the security council
expresses its profound concern at the impact of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons
as well as
mercenary activities on
peace and security
in west africa these contribute to serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law which the council condemns the council requests states of the subregion to ensure that relevant measures adopted at the national regional and international levels to combat these problems are put into effect
the security council
calls on the states of the subregion to strengthen the adopted measures and to consider other appropriate steps taking into account the recommendations emanating from this workshop the council also emphasizes the need for the states of the subregion to strengthen their cooperation
in order to
identify individuals and entities that engage illegally in trafficking in small arms and light weapons and provide support for mercenary activities in west africa
the security council
acknowledges the need to involve national commissions national committees and other relevant local structures including civil society more fully in the practical
implementation of the
moratorium on small arms and light weapons
adopted by the
economic community of west african states ecowas on 31 october 1998 and of the programme of action adopted on 20 july 2001
by the united nations
conference on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects held in new york
the security council
calls on the states of west africa to consider the following recommendations that might contribute to the more effective
implementation of the
ecowas moratorium on small arms a broadening of the moratorium to include an information exchange mechanism for all types of small arms procured by ecowas member states
as well as
for arms transfers by supplier countries b enhancement of transparency in armaments including through the establishment of an ecowas register that would record national inventories of small arms and light weapons c strengthening national commissions set up to oversee
implementation of the
moratorium in terms of staffing and equipment and developing national plans of action d taking necessary measures to build the capacity of the ecowas secretariat e computerization of aircraft registration lists to ensure better monitoring of airspace
in accordance with the
provisions of the convention on international civil aviation signed at chicago on 7 december 1944 f introduction of a standardized end user certificate for imported weapons
the security council
expresses concern at the serious violations of the arms embargoes in west africa and calls on
member states to
comply fully with the relevant resolutions of the council
the security council
expresses its concern at links between mercenary activities illicit arms trafficking and the violation of arms embargoes that help to foster and prolong conflicts in west africa
the security council
emphasizes the need to make peoples and entities of the subregion aware of the danger and consequences of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and of mercenary activities
the security council
encourages all ecowas states especially those most affected by the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons to submit as did other states national reports on actions undertaken to implement
the united nations
programme of action for small arms and light weapons to
the secretary general in
advance of the 2003 biennial review meeting
the security council
appeals to the donor community to assist states of the subregion in implementing and strengthening measures relating to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and mercenary activities
the security council
calls on relevant parties to conflicts in west africa to recognize
the importance of
activities related to disarmament demobilization and reintegration in post conflict situations and of including such measures in the text of negotiated agreements
as well as
specific measures for the collection and disposal of illicit and or surplus small arms
the security council
calls on all states in the subregion to cease military support for armed groups in neighbouring countries and to take action to prevent armed individuals and groups from using their territory to prepare and launch attacks on neighbouring countries
the security council
calls on arms producing and exporting countries that have not yet done so to enact stringent laws regulations and administrative procedures
in order to
ensure through their implementation more effective control over the transfer to west africa of small arms by manufacturers suppliers brokers and shipping and transit agents including a mechanism that would facilitate the identification of illicit arms transfers
as well as
careful scrutiny of end user certificates
the security council
reiterates its call to regional and subregional organizations to develop policies activities and advocacy for the benefit of war affected children in their regions
in this regard
the council welcomes the accra declaration and programme of action on war affected children and the subsequent establishment of a child protection unit at the ecowas secretariat