|
(i)
Introduction
After
almost three decades of internal armed conflict, Cambodia has inherited a
legacy of small arms that accumulated during the years fighting. Despite
the end of armed conflict, a surplus of weapons and ammunition still
remain in the country. Although there are no accurate statistics regarding
the number of weapons in circulation, available information indicates an
extraordinarily high number in both rural and urban areas.
According
to a survey conducted by the Ministries of Health and Planning in 2000,
guns are the fourth most common cause of accidental injuries and deaths in
Cambodia (surpassing landmine incidents in frequency) and are the fourth
most common cause of physical impairment. While landmine accidents are
concentrated in a few provinces in the Northwest and Southwest, gunshot
injuries occur throughout the country with higher numbers in urban areas.
At the rates reported by the survey, over 19,000 men and women are
currently disabled and 13-15 more are injured or killed each day as a
result of gun injuries.
NGOs
first began action on this issue, most notably since early 1998. NGOs are
currently active in research, public education, networking and advocacy on
the issue of small arms and community security. In early 1999, the
Municipality of Phnom Penh implemented a weapon collection campaign that
later expanded to a nation-wide collection campaign under the Ministry of
Interior. As of February 2002, 112,562 weapons were collected in 22
provinces, of which 79,411 were destroyed in 16 public destruction
ceremonies (by crushing and burning).
Proliferation
and misuse of small arms have a direct negative impact on community
development; human security, human rights, and public health in Cambodia.
(ii)
Identified Key Issues
Licit and Illicit Weapons: Two Sides of
the Same Problem
-
In
Cambodia, as in many other post-conflict countries, few distinctions exist
between illicit and licit weapons. An established cycle exists in which
legal weapons in government stockpiles often become illegal again through
black market sales, arms trafficking, and other diversions. Most reduction
efforts to date focus primarily on illegal civilian possession of weapons,
not on “licit” use and stockpiles, and do not adequately address the
full scope of the small arms problem.
Underlying
Causes of Insecurity: Distrust of Armed Security Forces
-
In
local communities there is a lack of understanding about the proper role
of security forces, sometimes among the security forces themselves. More
seriously, there is a serious lack of trust between civilians and the
authorities responsible for maintaining security.
-
Many
Cambodian civilians and communities desire to possess and use weapons
because they do not feel the armed security forces (i.e. police, soldiers,
gendarmerie) provide adequate security. In some cases, these same forces
are cited as the main threat to community security or are perceived to act
in cooperation with criminal elements. Little dialogue takes place between
civilians and local authorities on security and small arms issues.
Local
Commitment and Structures: Civil Society and Government
-
Before
June2000, the Cambodian government had no national body to address small
arms and light weapons. This made it very difficult to develop a long-term
action plan for control and management of weapons. The creation of the
National Commission for Weapons Reform and Management (NC) on 21 June 2001
by Prime Minister Hun Sen. was a major step forward, but it is not yet
fully operational and lacks the capacity, resources, and support it needs
to become effective. The NC has not developed a national strategy, plan,
or an active working group, thus limiting action on the issue.
-
Similarly,
local civil society initiatives play an important role in addressing small
arms issues and the associated “Culture of Violence” that is a legacy
of the years of internal conflict. Yet such initiatives often do not have
the long-term financial and technical support in order to sustain
activities.
(iii)
Recommendations for the RGC and the International Donor Community
Preventing
Diversion and Misuses of Both Licit and illicit Weapons
-
The RGC should halt
unauthorized leakage, use, or sale of government stockpiles. Perpetrators
of weapons misuse should be strictly and consistently punished, regardless
of rank or connections with those in power. The weapons black market in
Phnom Penh and illegal shooting ranges for tourists should be closed down
immediately.
-
The
RGC, with the support of international assistance, should continue the
excellent efforts to date in the collection of weapons from civilians and
surplus government stocks. All collected weapons should be publicly
destroyed. In this way, the cycle of licit-illicit weapons diversion will
be broken.
-
International
assistance should continue to assist the government to develop secure and
properly managed armouries to prevent leakage and illegal diversion.
Understanding
the Roots of Insecurity; Building Trust and Confidence
-
The
donor community should support further research efforts that are needed to
examine the causes and effects of weapons proliferation and misuse in
Cambodia. Research results will provide the government, the international
community and civil society with a greater understanding of how small arms
issues affect the country and local communities to better address the
specific needs and unique context of Cambodia.
-
The
donor community should support efforts that encourage dialogue between
communities and the security forces responsible for their security in
order to create a foundation of trust, share concerns, and strengthen
confidence. Encouraging dialogue between these groups helps ensure that
disarmament efforts are accepted, sustainable, effective, and address
underlying root problems. Such dialogue can help local authorities,
villagers and NGOs to establish good linkages and cooperation in promoting
community security.
Developing
Cambodian Structures and Capacity: Government and Civil Society
-
The
donor community should strongly encourage and assist the RGC to create
national structures, policy, and action plans that demonstrate a
commitment to weapons reduction and management. Support is specifically
required to strengthen the NC to become an operational and effective body.
-
The
NC must show its commitment and willingness to work on these issues by
developing a long-term national strategic plan. A working group,
consisting of both government and civil society representatives, should be
formed in order to implement the strategic plan.
-
The
donor community should increase its support of the essential role that
civil society plays in weapons reduction efforts. Civil society activities
that complement government actions include research, public education,
networking and advocacy.
-
Small
arms misuse, community security and civic-military relations are long-term
problems that require sustainable and locally owned responses.
International assistance should therefore focus on capacity building and
financial support for local groups and institutions addressing these
problems. | Content| Back
|
Top
| Next |
|
|
