| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
This article analyses the political evolution and legal structure of the Economic
Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) Convention on Small Arms and
Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and Other Related Material, adopted in 2006,
within the broader context of the small arms debate at the regional (initiatives by Mali)
and international levels, principally at the United Nations. The ECOWAS Convention
breaks new ground as it is based on human security, international humanitarian law,
sustainable development and human rights principles. The ECOWAS Convention is
groundbreaking in many respects. It is innovative especially vis-à-vis basing its text on
international humanitarian law, international human rights law and development needs.
In comparison with all other instruments of law on small arms, it is one of the most
evolved.
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