UNSC adopts resolution to prevent terrorists' access to weapons

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 2 August 2017 unanimously adopted a resolution to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons, particularly small arms and light weapons.

The resolution came after the UN body witnessed that there is a continuous flow of weapons, unmanned aircraft systems and improvised explosive device (IED) components between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Qaida, their affiliates and associated groups.

The accumulation and misuse of these weapons continue to pose threats to international peace and security and cause significant loss of life.

UNSC's direction to Member States
• It encouraged the Member States to prevent and disrupt procurement networks for weapons, systems and components between and among such groups and entities.

• UNSC urged the member states to ensure the ability to take appropriate legal actions against those who are knowingly engaged in providing terrorists with weapons.

• It also urged the member states to strengthen their judicial, law enforcement and border-control capacities, and develop their capabilities to investigate arms-trafficking networks.

• It encouraged the implementation of marking and tracing procedures of small arms and light weapons to improve traceability of such weapons.

• It called on all states to consider becoming party to the related instruments to help eliminate the supply of weapons to terrorists.

There are many challenges amid prevention, detection and prosecution of illicit trafficking in weapons. These challenges are such as inadequate data collection, lack of specialized skills and equipment and lack of coordination between countries and regions.

In order to put up with these challenges, there is a need to strengthen cross-border partnerships and operational responses and step up assistance to address gaps in capacity.