Book Description
Human security is under increas9ng threat from the spread of small arms and light weapons and their illegal trade. More than 500 million small arms and light weapons are in circulation today ; one for about every 12 people. These were weapons of choice in 46 of 49 major conflicts since 1990, causing four million deaths -- about 90 percent of them civilian, and 90 per cent of them women and children. Faced with the global scourge of small arms, the international community has now begun an important process of constructive global action. States have committed themselves to developing strengthening and implementing norms and measures aimed at preventing, fighting and, ultimately eradicating the illicit manufactures of and trade in small arms and light weapons. -- p. [4] of cover.