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Belarus — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

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StockpilesGun Numbers

Civilian Guns

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms

The estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Belarus is 710,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Belarus is 7.31 firearms per 100 people

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Belarus ranked at No. 642

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Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World Ranking

In a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 178 countries, Belarus ranked at No. 791

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Number of Licensed Firearm Owners

The number of licensed gun owners in Belarus is reported to be 170,8583

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Rate of Licensed Firearm Owners per 100 Population

The rate of licensed firearm owners in Belarus is 1.704 per 100 people

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Belarus is reported to be 170,8532

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Belarus is 1.744

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Number of Privately Owned Rifles

In Belarus, the number of rifles in civilian possession is reported to be 3,6803

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Number of Privately Owned Shotguns

In Belarus, the number of shotguns in civilian possession is reported to be 165,2783

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Number of Privately Owned Handguns

There are reportedly 1,9003 handguns in civilian possession in Belarus

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Belarus are reported to have 1,739,7125 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Belarus are reported to have 36,0246 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Belarus, annual homicides by any means total

2009: 4737
2008: 541
2007: 649
2006: 734
2005: 825
2004: 815
2003: 879
2002: 989
2001: 969
2000: 1,013
1999: 974
1998: 1,036
1997: 1,021
1996: 970
1995: 960

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Rate of Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)

ChartIn Belarus, the annual rate of homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2009: 4.97
2008: 5.67 8
2007: 6.7
2006: 7.57
2005: 8.4
2004: 8.3
2003: 8.9
2002: 9.9
2001: 9.7
2000: 10.1
1999: 9.6
1998: 10.2
1997: 10.0
1996: 9.5
1995: 9.3

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Gun Homicides

ChartIn Belarus, annual firearm homicides total

2009: 127
2008: 15
2007: 16
2006: 6
2005: 11
2004: 43
2003: 42
2002: 38
2001: 53
1997: 65
1996: 66
1995: 80

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Belarus, the annual rate of firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

2009: 0.17
2008: 0.2
2007: 0.2
2006: 0.1
2005: 0.1
2004: 0.4
2003: 0.4
2002: 0.4
2001: 0.5
1997: 0.6
1996: 0.6
1995: 0.8

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Suicides (any method)

In Belarus, annual suicides by any means total

1999: 3,4089

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Rate of Suicide per 100,000 People (any method)

In Belarus, the annual rate of suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

1999: 34.449

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Unintentional Gun Deaths

In Belarus, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

1996: 99

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

In Belarus, the annual rate of unintentional shooting death per 100,000 population is

1996: 0.099

ProductionGun Industry

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Regulation of Firearm Makers

In Belarus, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence, but is not conducted in practice10

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Regulation of Firearm Exports

In Belarus, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 11 12

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Belarus is reported to be US$143,91013 (2011)

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Small Arms Exports - World Ranking

In a comparison of the world's major/mid-level/minor/unknown small arms exporters, Belarus is categorized as 'unknown'14

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Regulation of Firearm Imports

In Belarus, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 11 12

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Belarus is reported to be US$1,938,53913 (2011)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Belarus is moderate15

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Market Cost of an AK-47 Assault Rifle (US$)

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Belarus is reported to be US$16016

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Belarus, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law17

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Belarus include18 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Belarus is categorised as restrictive19

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Belarus includes the Parliamentary Act No. 61-3 of the Republic of Belarus of 13 November 2001 on weapons, Act No. 130-3 of the Republic of Belarus of 6 January 1998 on export controls, the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus of 1 January 200120, and the Presidential Decree No. 473 "On measures to improve the regulation of the circulation of and tracing military, service and civilian weapons and ammunition in the territory of the Republic of Belarus21

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Belarus are regulated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Defence22

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Belarus, civilians are not allowed to possess handguns unless awarded for military service3

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Regulation of Handguns

In Belarus, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is prohibited3

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Belarus, only licensed gun owners3 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Genuine Reason Required for Firearm Licence

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Belarus are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting3

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Belarus is 18 years3

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Belarus must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and domestic violence3 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Belarus, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are required3

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Belarus stipulates3 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Belarus, the law requires3 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

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Gun Manufacturer Record Keeping

In Belarus, licensed gun makers are required23 to keep a record of each firearm produced, for inspection by a regulating authority

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Belarus, State agencies are required24 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Belarus include3 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Government

Government regulations in Belarus include25 26 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Belarus include27 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In Belarus, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law28 29

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Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

Authorities in Belarus are known to have30 implemented voluntary firearm surrender schemes, and/or weapon seizure programmes in order to reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation

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Small Arms Destroyed

In Belarus, the total number of firearms destroyed following recent amnesty, collection and seizure programmes is reported to be 66,407 (2003) and 60,00030 (2004)

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Belarus, it is state policy31 32 33 30 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

At the resumption of the most recent session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (UNCCPCJ), a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council mandated to promote action to prevent national and transnational crime, Belarus was listed as an elected member for a three-year term of office34

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Belarus abstained from endorsing35 negotiations towards a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty. In this vote, 151 UN Member States supported talks on an ATT, with 1 voting against, 20 abstentions, and 20 non-votes

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United Nations Firearms Protocol

The United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition has been signed and ratified36 by Belarus

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Belarus committed to a consensus decision of the United Nations to adopt, support and implement the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects37

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Belarus has submitted one or more national reports38 39 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Belarus, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated40 39

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Belarus, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated40 39

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Belarus submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent40 39

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated39 by Belarus to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided39 to Belarus by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Belarus has not declared41 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Belarus has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194542

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list43 Belarus as a Participating State

Short References

1.

Karp, Aaron.2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms - Annexe online.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q5)Full Citation

2.

Karp, Aaron.2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q4)Full Citation

3.

United Nations.1999.‘Analysis of Country Responses.’ United Nations International Study on Firearm Regulation.Vienna:UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division,30 August. (Q1)Full Citation

4.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Belarus.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4207)Full Citation

5.

Karp, Aaron.2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q6)Full Citation

6.

Karp, Aaron.2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q7)Full Citation

7.

UNODC.2011.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Belarus.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,6 October. (Q6268)Full Citation

8.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Europe and Central Asia, 1995-2008, Total Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed, Rate per 100,000 Population.’ World Bank Homicide Rate Dataset 1995-2008.Washington DC:Social Development Department, World Bank,10 February. (Q3816)Full Citation

9.

Jackson, Thomas.2005.‘Global Gun Deaths.’ NISAT Firearm Mortality Database 2005.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,1 January. (Q12)Full Citation

10.

Belarus.2005.‘National Procedures for Monitoring the Manufacture of SALW.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3464)Full Citation

11.

IANSA.2006.‘Reviewing Action on Small Arms 2006: Assessing the first five years of the UN Programme of Action.’ Biting the Bullet 'Red Book' 2006.New York:International Action Network on Small Arms and the Biting the Bullet project,26 June. (Q82)Full Citation

12.

Belarus.2010.‘Export Controls.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3427)Full Citation

13.

Marsh, Nicholas.2013.‘Database of Authorised Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons.’ NISAT Small Arms Trade Database.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,14 February. (Q16)Full Citation

14.

Small Arms Survey.2001.‘60 Known Legal Small Arms Exporting Countries, 2001.’ Small Arms Survey 2001: Profiling the Problem.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q867)Full Citation

15.

Belarus.2010.‘Collection and Destruction.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3431)Full Citation

16.

World Bank.2007.‘Available Kalashnikov Prices for Specific Countries and Periods.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q3)Full Citation

17.

Belarus.2010.‘Control of Brokering Activities.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3426)Full Citation

18.

Belarus.2010.‘Export Controls.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3428)Full Citation

19.

Newton, George D and Franklin E Zimring.1969.‘Firearm Licensing: Permissive v Restrictive.’ Firearms & Violence in American Life: A Staff Report submitted to the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence.Washington, DC:US Government Printing Office,1 January. (Q22)Full Citation

20.

Belarus.2010.‘Legislation.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3422)Full Citation

21.

Belarus.2005.‘Legislation.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3460)Full Citation

22.

Belarus.2010.‘Penalties for Offences.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3423)Full Citation

23.

Belarus.2005.‘Marking and Control of Manufacturing – Gun Manufacturer Record Keeping.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4537)Full Citation

24.

Belarus.2010.‘Stockpile Management and Security – State-Owned Firearm Records.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4536)Full Citation

25.

Belarus.2010.‘Stockpile Management and Security.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3424)Full Citation

26.

Belarus.2005.‘Stockpile Management and Storage Safety.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3461)Full Citation

27.

Belarus.2005.‘Procedures to Maximize the Security of SALW Transport.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3462)Full Citation

28.

Belarus.2010.‘Marking and Control of Manufacturing.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3425)Full Citation

29.

Belarus.2010.‘Marking and Control of Manufacturing – Marking.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4538)Full Citation

30.

Belarus.2005.‘Collection and Destruction.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3463)Full Citation

31.

Belarus.2010.‘Collection and Destruction.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3429)Full Citation

32.

Belarus.2010.‘Collection and Destruction.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3430)Full Citation

33.

Belarus.2004.‘Collection and Disposal.’ National Report of Belarus on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Belarus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3457)Full Citation

34.

UNCCPCJ / UNODC.1991.‘Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.’ United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.Vienna:United Nations Economic and Social Council / United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,1 January. (Q3222)Full Citation

35.

UNGA.2009.‘Towards an Arms Trade Treaty: Establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms.’ UN Resolution A/RES/64/48.New York:United Nations General Assembly,2 June. (Q1886)Full Citation

36.

UNGA.2001.‘United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition.’ UN General Assembly Resolution 55/255.New York:UN General Assembly,31 May. (Q17)Full Citation

37.

UNGA.2001.‘Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.’ United Nations General Assembly.New York:UN General Assembly,20 July. (Q18)Full Citation

38.

Cattaneo, Silvia and Sarah Parker.2008.‘Reporting, NPCs and NCAs, 2002 to 2008.’ Implementing the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons: Analysis of the National Reports submitted by States from 2002 to 2008.Geneva:United Nations Development Programme,1 November. (Q20)Full Citation

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UNODA.2009.‘PoA-ISS Country Profiles.’ UN small arms Programme of Action (UNPoA) – Implementation Support System.New York:United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs,29 October. (Q1309)Full Citation

40.

IANSA.2006.‘Reviewing Action on Small Arms 2006: Assessing the first five years of the UN Programme of Action.’ Biting the Bullet 'Red Book' 2006.New York:International Action Network on Small Arms and the Biting the Bullet project,26 June. (Q166)Full Citation

41.

UNODA.2011.‘National Reports on Small Arms Exports.’ United Nations Register of Conventional Arms - The Global Reported Arms Trade.New York:United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,21 October. (Q14)Full Citation

42.

UN.2013.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York:United Nations General Assembly,7 April. (Q290)Full Citation

43.

Wassenaar Arrangement.1996.‘Introduction: Participating States.’ Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies.Vienna:Wassenaar Secretariat,12 July. (Q19)Full Citation