Impact of proliferation of small arms and light weapons in south Asia

Abstract

Small arms and light weapons (SALW) cause much death and injury around the world, through war, homicide and suicide. The problems of SALW in south Asia have to be seen within a global context, but the region itself has special concerns which must be understood by the world. Ultimately these issues will only be resolved through international co-operation, which in turn requires people to become active in urging their political leaders to take the right path.

Keywords:

• Arms control
• Arms trade
• Conflict deaths
• Small arms and light weapons
• South Asia

Acknowledgement

This paper is based on lectures delivered at the 6th Annual National Conference of Indian Congress of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at PGI, Chandigarh in November 2005 and the conference ‘Prevention of Nuclear War and its Effects: the Role of Medical Fraternity’, International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War Central India, July 2005.