What is the OAS doing regarding arms trafficking?
The 1997 Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and other Related Materials – known as CIFTA – has now been ratified by 26 member states. These countries have stepped up their cooperation, sharing information on the problems, challenges and experiences they have encountered with CIFTA-related issues. In October 2005, the OAS convened the first-ever meeting of national authorities who make operational decisions on granting export, import and transit licenses for firearms. The idea is to create a network of officials in the field who can exchange information and prevent illegal manufacturing and trafficking.
