EU Statement on the Firearms Protocol at the Twelfth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), 16[...]

Distinguished President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its Member States. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina[1]and Georgia, as well as the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

President,

Each and every region in the world is affected by the proliferation of illicit firearms and ammunition that fuel transnational organised crime, terrorism, conflicts and violence. In Europe, some cities are experiencing increasing gang violence involving firearms. In this regard, the Firearms Protocol remains a key international instrument to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition.

The EU greatly appreciates UNODC's legislative and technical assistance to States, training for investigation and prosecution, and other capacity building activities to facilitate the implementation of the Firearms Protocol. We are supporting multiple projects with the EU Global Illicit Flows Programme [GIFP], such as the UNODC's Countering Firearms Trafficking Project and Project DISRUPT.

Most EU activities are implemented with the help of regional organisations, such as the League of Arab States in the MENA region or the Organisation of American States in Latin America. In the Western Balkans, the EU supports a comprehensive Roadmap with the aim to significantly reduce the illicit flows of firearms, ammunition and explosives, which has recently been extended beyond 2024. The goals of this regional Roadmap are aligned with the goals of the current EU Action Plan on firearms trafficking.

Furthermore, the EU is a longstanding supporter of the Arms Trade Treaty and the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons, and welcomes the recent adoption of the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management. We encourage further synergies between relevant international instruments to ensure their effective implementation, further involvement of civil society, and the integration of a gender perspective in all activities.

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has increased the threat of illicit firearms trafficking to the EU as well as to other regions. The EU continues to condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia's violations of international law and calls on Russia to respect Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We recall that Ukraine has an inherent right of self-defence, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and the right to acquire legitimate means with which to defend itself.

President,

Over the last two years, we have been reviewing the EU Regulation [258/2012] that implements Article 10 of the Firearms Protocol, setting out the general requirements for export, import and transit licencing or authorisation systems. Last spring, a political agreement was reached in Brussels to update the Regulation. This revision will bring about new rules harmonising all EU procedures on import, export and transit of firearms for civilian use. These procedures will be fully digital and will reinforce the secure movements of firearms and their traceability. The new rules also establish a simplified procedure for the temporary import and export of firearms for hunters, sport shooters, historical reenactors and exhibitors. There will be a stricter application of the technical standards for alarm and signal weapons, stricter rules on semi-finished firearms components, and measures to better control the final destination of firearms exported by European manufactures.

The convertibility of alarm and signal weapons poses a well-documented threat. In 2019, the EU established technical standards for these weapons, which could serve as a useful reference for future discussions at the UN level.

Lastly, the EU has focused on the implementation of Article 5 of the UN Firearms Protocol. We have evaluated the criminalisation of offenses related to firearms in the EU Member States and started the preparation of a legislative initiative. The aim is to establish minimum common criminal law standards, and also specifically criminalise the use of blueprints to illegally manufacture firearms with 3D technology. Next to the three offences mentioned in Article 5 of the Firearms Protocol, we will explore the need for minimum EU common criminal law standards for all offences mentioned in the UN legislative guide for the implementation of the Protocol.

Thank you, President

[1]North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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