JOINT NGO STATEMENT TO THE UN CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT
on March 8, 2001 (version March 3, 2001)

Coordinated by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
in cooperation with the NGO Committee on the Status of Women
and its Working Group on Peace

Distinguished Members of the Conference on Disarmament:

The participants of the International Women's Day Disarmament Seminar in Geneva appreciate the opportunity to address you once again on International Women's Day. It is one of the few occasions that the concerns and wishes of NGOs can be voiced in this unique Forum in which concrete measures can, and have been taken to rid the world of specific weapons and advance toward disarmament. However, we must state that we have been deeply disappointed and are disheartened over the fact that opportunities have been missed during these past several years and so little has been achieved during this period.

Mr. President, we urge the Conference on Disarmament and especially the Member States not to allow the deadlock to continue, and in that sense we wish to make the following observations:

Mr. President, nowadays the perceived need for armament is not so much related to the conquest of territory but more to the imposition of ideology. Throughout history, there have been nations that have believed themselves to be superior to others and who consequently sought to impose their way of life and their beliefs on others by threat or use of force. They were mistaken. One cannot produce good by means of threats and brute force. Only persuasion and good example can teach good governance.

Recent developments in the international security environment have brought us back to a crossroads, where we have been so often during the past half century, deciding whether to take the path of co-operation on which the United Nations is founded, or the path of military confrontation. The fate of the Conference on Disarmament is both an indicator and a significant determining factor as to which will be followed. Knowing that in our present world the path of confrontation can only lead to universal disaster, we urge the CD to address the political difficulties and differences within the relevant negotiations rather than letting them become the destructive means of blocking further progress.

There have been remarkable successes in the field of arms limitation and restraint and a number of them were achieved in this chamber. Many treaties were born from humble beginnings with General Assembly resolutions. One such is the Biological Weapons Convention, which has now reached a crucial stage in its path towards more effective implementation, as we wait to see if dominant countries and pharmaceutical interests will allow the current verification negotiations to succeed. Let us also note that during this past half century, with only a very few exceptions, arms control treaties have been observed and no State has withdrawn from a major arms control treaty, whether multilateral or bilateral! This is a significant record of achievement and commitment to restraint and good sense- a record that should be maintained.

What a great contribution this can be to the UN declared Decade of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World that we have just entered. A culture of peace means a modified value system. Pride in the observance of treaty commitments; pride in withholding vetoes; pride in refraining from power games and concentrating solely on the future welfare of humanity. It is in that spirit that we call upon you to immediately accept and implement the work programme proposal contained in CD document 1624, particularly paragraphs 1, 2 and 3.

The time has come to put aside interpretations as to what might be discussed under the heading of preparations, before any subsequent negotiations are allowed to begin. Of course, such negotiations should not inhibit or be a substitute for progress in other direct interstate or regional negotiations, but that consideration should apply as the usual practice. Negotiations have to start somewhere. The groundwork must be laid somehow. Those who have followed the work of this multilateral negotiating body - including those watching from the gallery and those who have been kept informed of your work over the years - believe that at least for the first year, the substantial work necessary to prepare the groundwork for treaties would be much the same whether called negotiations or pre-negotiations. The point is to get started. Furthermore, we urge that while pre-negotiations or negotiations on these important issues are taking place, States refrain from pursuing further research and testing of any devices that could undermine the talks.

We urge you and the Capitals you represent to turn your thoughts to the distant future when others will occupy the places you hold today. Because of your endeavours, our descendants will have the chance of life, health and peace. Or not. Your actions should be guided so as to earn their respect.

Concerning the CD's agenda item on a "Comprehensive programme of disarmament", we wish to underline the importance we give to the question of small arms.

Mr. President, in view of the forthcoming third Preparatory Committee meeting for the UN Conference on Illicit Trade of Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, we would like to mention that this year's International Women's Day Disarmament Seminar, entitled "In the Line of Fire: A Gender Perspective on Small Arms Proliferation, Peace Building and Conflict Resolution".

The pattern of violent conflict and arms transfers has significantly changed in recent years. UN studies estimate that around 300 manufacturers in more than 70 countries are producing small arms and light weapons. While a significant number of these weapons end up in the hands of State forces, a large number are found in the hands of irregular armies, communal factions, crime and drug syndicates, as well as individuals.

An overwhelming majority of conflicts have been fought with small arms and light weapons: Of the forty-nine regional conflicts waged since 1990, small arms and light weapons have been the weapons of choice in forty-six of them. They kill almost as many people in countries that are not at war: In post-conflict situations interpersonal violence replaces violence between warring factions if weapons remain in circulation, and in many other countries small arms figure prominently in violent crimes, domestic assault, rape, sexual violence, suicides and accidents - legally or illegally possessed. An estimated 500,000 to 700,000 lives are claimed each year by the use of these weapons. This is an average of 1,700 deaths per day or one person dying every minute.

We recognize that the availability of small arms is not the cause of armed conflict, but their easy and cheap accessibility facilitates the transformation of social and political conflicts into violent ones and contribute to the militarization of society.

Women are particularly affected by the wide availability and use of small arms both in times of war and in times of peace. It is a sad fact that women are increasingly participating as combatants in armed conflicts. However, statistics show that they remain the primary victims in such situations. Women's experience in armed conflicts are markedly different to those of men. Women are strategic targets due to their role as biological, cultural and social reproducers of their societies and are subject to gender-based violence at the hands of power wielded through a hand gun or an AK-47. On the other hand, manufacturers of small arms are increasingly targeting women as potential buyers and users of small arms, capitalizing on their need for safety.

The process of economic globalization, the ongoing systematic impoverishment of countries in the economically poor regions, and the erosion of human security, not only facilitates small arms proliferation and diffusion, but also weakens the influence of the State to adequately control and regulate the supply and demand of small arms and light weapons. Economic disparities between and within countries are creating conditions in which weapons are considered the only solution to secure a livelihood. The demand for small arms is in this way directly and indirectly encouraged, especially in urban communities.

In a momentous decision last year, the UN Security Council recognized the important role of women in the prevention, resolution, and management of conflicts, as well as in peace building, when it adopted resolution 1325. Women are effective actors in peace negotiations and their contributions to achieve positive peace have been recognized on paper. It is imperative that all obstacles to the full participation of women at all levels and in all forums be removed.

It seems to us equally imperative that the Conference on Disrmament resume its efforts to speedily achieve a comprehensive programme for disarmament .

In conclusion, we wish you every success in moving disarmament forward and thank you for hearing us.

Thank you for your attention.