University of Minnesota
Human Rights Program
hrp@umn.edu
612-626-7947


Human Rights Program's home page.

Home > Projects & Research : Small Arms & Light Weapons

Small Arms & Light Weapons

Overview

The human cost of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons has been increasingly evident in the post-Cold War era. In the past decade, there has been significant diplomatic activity to strengthen international laws that curb the transfer of small arms, culminating in the July 2001 UN Conference on the "Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons." Despite these political and diplomatic activities, little attention has been given to the human rights implications of arms proliferation.

  • How are human rights affected by the availability and misuse of weapons?
  • How should international human rights obligations affect state responsibility regarding the transfer and use of small arms and light weapons?
  • Does increased availability of weapons constitute a proximate cause of violations of human rights and humanitarian law?
  • What further national and international standards are needed to address human rights violations that result from the use of small arms and light weapons?

Research into these questions was conducted for the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights by Barbara A. Frey, Director of the University of Minnesota Human Rights Program and Special Rapporteur on the Prevention of Human Rights Violations Committed with Small Arms and Lights Weapons.

The Commission on Human Rights, in decision 2003/112 of 25 April 2003 approved the nomination of Frey as Special Rapporteur and requested her to conduct a three-year study of the issue for the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. Frey’s efforts included hosting an international conference, Arms Availability and Human Rights, held at the University of Minnesota on February 21-22, 2002.