Guyana is to receive aid to combat the illicit trafficking of firearms under a joint CARICOM, UNODC initiative.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC yesterday met with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Project Coordinator for the Caribbean, Global Firearms Programme, Roberto Codesal and CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), Regional Crime and Security Strategy Coordinator, Callixtus Joseph. They are on a three-day visit to Guyana, according to a release from the Ministry of Legal Affairs. Also present was Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel of the Ministry, Joann Bond.
The release said that the purpose of the team’s visit is to conduct a needs assessment in relation to combatting unlawful firearms use and trafficking in Guyana.
The Attorney General in his remarks alluded to the challenges facing Guyana with its vast, porous borders and welcomed any assistance that would increase its effectiveness in combating the unlawful use, possession and trafficking of firearms. He pointed out that Guyana’s principal firearms legislation was passed since 1940 and while it has been updated on several occasions, he was of the view that new legislation is needed.
The Attorney General also highlighted the problem of violent crime in the country revolving around the use of illegal firearms and ammunition.
The release said that with the financial assistance of Germany, in cooperation with the CARICOM IMPACS, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), and in line with the Caribbean Roadmap, the UNODC introduced the project against firearm trafficking. The Project was launched on the 1st of March, 2021, and covers the Caribbean region, including all CARICOM Member States.
The Project seeks to enhance the
capacity of criminal justice systems to counter illicit proliferation and misuse of firearms through the detection, investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of illicit firearms trafficking cases.
Specifically, the release said that the project will address capacity building, legislative assistance, promote international cooperation and enhance the tracing of firearms. Currently, UNODC, IMPACS and UNLIREC are planning a review of Guyana’s laws relating to firearms to determine any gaps and loopholes. Training is also planned on the detection of firearms by air, land and sea and the prosecution of firearms offences.
The release said that the project will seek to establish national firearms focal points in each CARICOM country and promote the creation of a firearms network.
