Searched the resource database for : All Results AND Regions=Albania AND Topic=Small Arms, Light Weapons and Landmines
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Abstract: Young people are potentially a tremendous force for change in conflict-affected countries
for both good and bad. Directing the energy of youth towards reconstruction is
a challenge and requires rapid interventions in the areas of education, family life and
health, economic empowerment and civic participation.
Abstract: Armed violence data gathering systems in SEE countries vary in quality and coverage of the population. No single
country embodies best practices by itself. In existing research, because of the lack of continuous monitoring,
data has sometimes been generated by research that attempts to recover information on armed violence
retrospectively. Different methods for doing this offer differing degrees of reliability; analysis of media reports
and perceptions surveys offer an important substitute for continuously gathered data, but are unreliable for a
number of reasons. Other studies have been obliged to recover data from past records, which were not designed
for storing data specifically on armed violence. In other cases, individual institutions have conducted their own
data gathering, and have supplied useful fragments of a comprehensive picture of the problem. The conclusion of this report offers a starting point for those SEE countries that wish to develop a system through
healthcare providers to monitor armed violence. Following the approach of the WHO to injury prevention, it would
be possible to build a system in each country that would adequately monitor the level of armed violence and
identify the social determinants of the problem. If regional countries wish to harmonise their data collection
systems, a collaborative consultation involving all stakeholders (particularly those operating the system, and
those wishing to use the resulting information) would be an appropriate next step.
Abstract: The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) is one of the world’s leading institutions in the areas of security sector reform (SSR) and security sector governance (SSG). DCAF provides in-country advisory support and practical assistance programmes, develops and promotes appropriate democratic norms at the international and national levels, advocates good practices and makes policy recommendations to ensure effective democratic governance of the security sector. DCAF's partners include governments, parliaments, civil society, international organisations and the range of security sector actors such as police, judiciary, intelligence agencies, border security services and the military.
Abstract: The countries of the Western Balkans face high levels of violence, crime and human insecurity as a legacy
of recent conflicts, political turbulence and economic crises. The war in the former Yugoslavia increased
the proliferation and easy availability of small arms and light weapons, both legally and illegally possessed, contributing to a rise in violent behaviour not only in the public space, but also within the family. Other factors linked to the post-conflict situation and transition have also contributed to an increase in domestic violence, including economic and personal insecurity, unemployment, crime and intolerance.
Abstract: The South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) was launched on 08 May 2002 in Belgrade. SEESAC is a component of the Regional Implementation Plan on Combating the Proliferations of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) formulated and adopted by the Stability Pact in November 2001(Revised in 2006), with the aims of stopping the flow and availability of SALW in the region, consolidating achievements so far and supporting the socio-economic conditions for peace and development in South Eastern and Eastern Europe. The uncontrolled proliferation and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) is a serious problem in South Eastern and Eastern Europe. SALW proliferation has fuelled crime and insecurity, exacerbating conflict in the region and undermining post conflict peace-building. Problems related to SALW are likely to pose a serious constraint to economic and social development in South Eastern and Eastern Europe. Established in co-operation with the UNDP and housed in their offices in Belgrade, SEESAC worked to support the Stability Pact Regional Implementation Plan for an initial period of three years; the impact of the project has led to a further four-year extension until December 2008. Political and strategic guidance and indigenous support for SEESAC is provided by a Regional Steering Group (RSG), which is composed of representatives of the governments of the states concerned, the Stability Pact, UNDP and observers from institutions such as the European Union (EU), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and civil society. The RSG meets twice yearly and has approved the 2006 SEESAC Strategy and a revision of the SEESAC mandate. SEESAC capability is now available to all stakeholders within the CIS and Caucasus region. SEESAC is now also available to provide technical advice and project development assistance for the disposal of heavy weapons (within available resources). SEESAC operates under the guidance of The Regional Steering Group for Small Arms and Light Weapons and the UN Resident Co-ordinator in Belgrade. SEESAC liaises directly with governments and civil society, providing technical input, information exchange, co-ordination and overview of current and future efforts and fund-raising assistance for specific SALW projects. SEESAC's small team is in constant communication with all the governments involved and with the relevant international organisations, non-governmental organisations and bi-lateral donors. SEESAC's regional activities include sensitising governments and civil society on small arms issues, formulating national strategies for SALW control and incorporating small arms issues into UNDP development planning.
Abstract: Cluster munitions have been used in combat in at least 21 countries. Thirty-four
countries are known to produce them and at least 73 countries stockpile them. Worldwide,
stockpiled submunitions number in the billions.
The use of cluster munitions results in civilian death and suffering both during and after
conflict. They are a particularly dangerous weapon type in need of international attention,
in that they have a serious and long-lasting humanitarian and socio-economic impact where
they have been used.
Presented here are brief case studies on cluster submunition contamination in Albania
and the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Together, these studies present a picture of the
short- and long-term humanitarian and socio-economic impact of cluster munition use. The
case of Lao PDR shows the continual harmxe2x80x94even more than thirty years after the factxe2x80x94
caused by large-scale cluster munition use, while the case of Albania illustrates that even
recent, limited cluster munition use can cause harm no less profound.
These case studies demonstrate the devastating impact cluster munitions have on
civilians. They provide additional evidence from the field that stronger action needs to be
taken to reduce the tragedy these munitions bring to lives, livelihoods and societies.
Abstract: The European Union (EU) has long been a provider of diplomatic and technical support for the enhancement
of international controls governing arms transfers. In June 1998, the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports (EU
Code) was developed and agreed among member states. The EU Code includes a list of eight criteria designed
to guide decisions on whether to grant or refuse export licence applications, as well as a number of operative
provisions designed to aid its implementation, including e.g. a system for circulating reports among member
states concerning both licences granted and applications denied. Subsequently, the EU has developed a number
of other instruments and strategies. These include: the Joint Action on the EU's Contribution to Combating the
Destabilising Accumulation and Spread of Small Arms and Light Weapons (1998); the EU Common Position on
Arms Brokering (2004); the EU Council's Strategy To Combat Illicit Accumulation and Traffi cking of Small Arms
and Light Weapons and their Ammunition (2005); and the European Commission (EC) Western Balkans SALW
Control Support Plan (2005).
Since 1998, the EU Code has since come to be seen as a progressive and effective transfer control regime,
leading to its voluntary uptake by many EU accession and neighbouring states. While these commitments
are a valued expression of states' desire to align themselves with regional and international norms on arms
transfer controls, the context facing many EU neighbourhood states, particularly the post-confl ict countries of
South Eastern Europe (SEE), is one that poses signifi cant challenges. Whether for reasons associated with past
confl icts, or because of the diffi culties of state-building and political transition, SEE states have struggled in the
past to control the availability and transfer of arms from their territories. As a consequence, the regulation of
offi cial arms transfers from the region is an ongoing concern.
South Eastern Europe SALW Monitor 2006 United Nations // United Nations Development Programme // South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons
Abstract: The uncontrolled proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) still continues to pose serious constraints on the development of South Eastern Europe. In order to address the problems of SALW, the last few years have seen the development of regional and international initiatives, such as the OSCE Small Arms Document, UN Programme of Action, and a particularly relevant and region-specific SALW initiative - Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe's Regional Implementation Plan (RIP) Combating the Proliferation of SALW. Recognising and building on previous commitments in a wide range of areas, the RIP was agreed in November 2001 by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, and Serbia and Montenegro, and it was revised in 2006. The aim of the SEE SALW Monitor is to provide an overview of how SEE countries have progressed towards fulfilling their commitments. The Stability Pact's RIP, as the most inclusive and regionally relevant document representing governments' commitments in the area of SALW control is used as a benchmark for this process. This report does not represent a technical verification system or a formal inspection report - its role is to collect and present relevant information to facilitate monitoring, discussion and assessment of progress towards the implementation of the RIP.
Abstract: This report examines how cultural beliefs and practices influence gun ownership and use in SEE, and how these might affect SALW control interventions. It was initially researched by the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD), Bulgaria during Autumn 2005 and Spring 2006. It was compiled and drafted by Mr. Philip Gounev, Research Fellow, Centre for the Study of Democracy and Mr. Marko Hajdinjak, Researcher, International Centre for Minority Studies and Intercultural Relations, Bulgaria. An anthropological approach was taken to better understand the reasons for civilian gun ownership and use, and the ways in which society represents these behaviours, in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro (including the UN Administered Territory of Kosovo). A wide variety of research tools were used including household surveys (HHS) conducted by SEESAC and UNDP, focus group transcripts, secondary literature searches, statistical data, anthropological field studies, the Internet, print and electronic media.
Abstract: During the 1999 Kosovo conflict, northeast Albania was contaminated with mines and sub-munitions by forces of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. In addition, some cluster strikes by forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) were launched against Yugoslav positions along the Albanian border, leaving unexploded ordnance (UXO) within Albania.
Abstract: Turning the page: small arms and light weapons in Albania, is a report of the findings
of research conducted on small arms and light weapons and security issues in Albania
from April to September 2005 by the London-based non-governmental organisation
Saferworld.
The report is a contribution towards the development of a co-ordinated policy
response to the outstanding SALW problems facing the Republic of Albania following
the crisis of 1997 during which hundreds of thousands of weapons were looted from
government stockpiles. It charts the achievements of the Albanian Government and
international and civil society organisations in combating SALW to date and identifies
the challenges that still lie ahead. The report's main findings were reviewed during a
series of meetings with a wide range of officials from the Albanian Government and
international organisations and also at an inter-ministerial roundtable in October
2005. The final report reflects comments received during these consultations.
A separate briefing paper containing the research team's recommendations for
enhancing SALW control in Albania exists as an accompanying document to this
report and was submitted for use by the Government of Albania.
Abstract: This report presents an overview of the situation of landmine victim assistance in the 24 States Parties to the Ottawa Convention identified as having hundreds or thousands of landmine survivors - Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Croatia, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Perxc3xba, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uganda and Yemen.4 Country-by-country information on six key issues is presented: landmine casualties and data collection; emergency and continuing medical care; physical rehabilitation; psychological support and social reintegration; economic reintegration; and, status and implementation of disability legislation. Information is also provided on general issues affecting the provision of mine victim assistance. The report is intended to raise awareness of the rights and needs of mine survivors and other persons with disabilities in the 24 countries. Furthermore, the report is intended to provide the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration with an overview of the known situation of landmine victim assistance in 2004, and thereby provide the baseline on which to measure progress on the implementation of the Nairobi Action Plan over the next five years to 2009.
Abstract: Standing Tall Australia, Mines Action Canada and the ICBL Working Group on Victim Assistance
partnered to produce the Portfolio of 101 Great Ideas for the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Mine Survivors with the realistic hope that it would give wider exposure to the issue of socio-economic reintegration and to existing programs, and raise awareness on the many unique and different ideas currently available which would in turn encourage the implementation of new programs to empower mine survivors and other
persons with disabilities. The Portfolio includes a one or two page presentation of each "great idea" including the history, successes, capacities and challenges in meeting the economic reintegration needs of mine survivors and other persons with disabilities in particular mine-affected communities. The majority of programs included in the Portfolio currently assist mine survivors but a few programs assisting other vulnerable groups have also been included as the ideas could easily be adapted to benefit persons with disabilities.
Abstract: Large quantities of weapons and ammunition from the Balkans and eastern Europe are flowing into Africa's conflict-ridden Great Lakes region, despite evidence of their use in gross human rights violations, according to this report.
The shipments have continued to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) despite a peace process initiated in 2002 and a United Nations arms embargo.
In a detailed study, Amnesty International reveals the role played by arms dealers, brokers and transporters from many countries including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Israel, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, the UK a#nd USA. The study traces the supply of weapons and ammunition to the governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda and their subsequent distribution to armed groups and militia in the eastern DRC that have been involved in atrocities amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Abstract: The brutality in Kosovo, East Timor, and Rwanda has fed the conventional wisdom that tribal and nationalist fighting is raging out of control. It is not. Since the early 1990s, the number of new ethnic wars has dropped sharply and many old ones have been settled. The world has found a new way to manage secessionism and nationalist passions: granting autonomy, devolving and sharing state power, and recognizing group rights. Ethnic warfare's heyday may have belonged to the last century.
