Arms Trade & Security
Opinion on the Legality of Arms Transfers to Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates and other members of the coalition militarily involved in Yemen
December 10, 2019This opinion addresses the legality under international law of the transfer of conventional arms and related equipment to the parties currently engaged in the conflict in Yemen. The opinion does not assess the legality of the export, import or sale of arms to those parties in the light of the domestic law of each supplying State, nor does it consider in detail the obligations of non-state armed gr
Annual Report 2018
June 27, 2019This 2018 annual report provides an overview of IPIS’ research projects, capacity enhancement and outreach activities throughout last year. IPIS consolidated its work in DRC, Central African Republic and Tanzania and deepened its expertise on mapping, data analysis and research on conflict drivers, natural resources, Business & Human Rights and arms trade. IPIS worked closely with civil societ
Anti-Diversion Measures. Real-Time Locating Systems
May 20, 2019Diversion is largely a self-inflicted problem that stems from negligence by states, militaries, and civilians (Small Arms Survey, 2008). The illicit trade of small arms and light weapons remains a serious problem internationally and in many countries. To prevent the illicit trade States call for responsible arms export control systems to be put in place. One solution is to prevent diversion, mostl
Infographic – The ATT, arms trade to Saudi-Arabia and violence in Yemen
February 8, 2019The ongoing war in Yemen has transformed into a humanitarian catastrophe of unknown magnitude. Civilian casualties, estimated in the millions, continue to rise as do the number facing severe famine. Saudi Arabia and other parties to the Yemeni conflict stand accused of repeatedly violating international humanitarian law. In spite of these allegations, countries continue to export weapons and milit
Annual Report 2017
August 21, 2018In its 2017 annual report, IPIS gives an overview of its research projects and activities. It covers the four research programmes that IPIS focusses on: natural resources, arms trade, conflict mapping and business and human rights. IPIS explains among others its mapping work of artisanal mining sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo, its work on Human Rights in mining in Northwest Tanzania an
IPIS launches e-learning for a thorough understanding of the global Arms Trade Treaty
September 12, 2017As governments gather in Geneva to discuss how to regulate the global arms trade by implementing the Arms Trade Treaty, the Belgian Research Group IPIS is launching a set of self-learning digital modules to promote understanding of the Treaty. The e-learning modules are designed to support the early ratification and effective implementation of the Treaty. The modules can be accessed in English, Fr
E-learning: The Arms Trade Treaty
September 7, 2017In June 2017, IPIS launched its e-learning digital education package to support the early ratification and effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty. The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was adopted by the UNGA on 2 April 2013 and entered into force on 24 December 2014. There are currently 92 States Parties and 130 Signatories. Implementation of the Treaty is the responsibility of States Parties,
E-learning Modules for the Implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty
August 31, 2017In June 2017, IPIS launched its e-learning digital education package to support the early ratification and effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty. The objective of this e-learning course is to enhance knowledge of arms transfer control issues amongst key stakeholders. The course contains 13 modules covering the key provisions of the Arms Trade Treaty. Dates: 2017 Location(s): Belgium Re
Surplus and Illegal Small Arms, Light Weapons and their Ammunition: the consequences of failing to dispose and safely destroy them
August 11, 2017This joint report by IANSA and IPIS documents recent failures in some countries across world regions to properly dispose of and destroy excess small arms and light weapons (SALW), and their ammunition. It illustrates the different ways that excessive, poorly secured, weapons, especially firearms and ammunition, leak out into the hands of abusers and to those unauthorised to trade and use them, and
Annual report 2016
June 23, 2017In its 2016 annual report, IPIS gives an overview of its research projects and activities. It covers the four research programmes that IPIS focusses on: natural resources, arms trade, conflict mapping and business and human rights. In 2016, IPIS continued to be a rally point for hard to get data on natural resources, often visualised in maps. Our flagship map for 2016 is the interactive map of art
Optimalisatie van het wapenhandeldecreet en wapenhandelbesluit: advies van IPIS en Amnesty International Vlaanderen
June 22, 2017In maart 2012 publiceerden Amnesty International Vlaanderen en IPIS een nota met analyse en aanbevelingen bij het ontwerp van decreet “betreffende de in-, uit-, doorvoer en overbrenging van defensiegerelateerde producten, ander voor militair gebruik dienstig materiaal, ordehandhavingsmateriaal, civiele vuurwapens, onderdelen en munitie”. Het uiteindelijke ‘Wapenhandeldecreet’ van 30 juni 2012 schi
Fatal Freight: Ships, Guns and Human Rights Abuses
June 12, 2017TransArms and IPIS undertook a thorough research of the responsibilities of states and companies involved in the transfer of military equipment by sea under customary international law. The maritime transport is by far the main modality for the transfers of military equipment and commodities. The report considers cases of irresponsible shipments of arms and military commodities to countries with
Arms Trade Corridors to Burundi
May 5, 2017Burundi has seen a period of unrest following the failed coup d’état by a Burundian general in May 2015. In order to better understand the situation, IPIS drafted a new map entitled ‘Arms transport to Burundi’, which puts the 2015 unrest in the geographical perspective of the Great Lakes region and in the relevant timeframe covering 2008 to 2015. The map highlights two important factors in the rec
China North Industries Corporation Working paper 2
April 21, 2017The International Peace Information Service (IPIS) and the Omega Research Foundation (Omega) have undertaken a comprehensive review of one of China’s largest state-owned companies. Norinco – known formally as China North Industries Group (CNGC) was established in 1999 and it consists of at least 46 member units which then have several subordinate companies, joint ventures and associate companies.
Hotel Hercules
February 3, 2017Hotel Hercules is the fruit of an encounter and exchange between Sergio Finardi, defence logistics expert and Don Rogers, a flight engineer who operated on aircrafts servicing CIA operations in support of UNITA between 1986 and 1988. Don Rogers shared memories of his flights to UNITA headquarters as a member of secret CIA missions to supply Savimbi’s army from DRC, as well as the humanitarian flig
Annual Report 2015
August 31, 2016Download pdf or open with issuu reader http://issuu.com/ipisresearch/docs/2016_10_10_ipis_jaarverslag_2015_20
Weapons and International Law: the Arms Trade Treaty
August 19, 2015IPIS is pleased to announce its contribution to a new book on the Arms Trade Treaty published by Larcier. Weapons and International law: The Arms Trade Treaty gives a thorough legal and practical analysis of this important new legal instrument to regulate the global trade of the most commonly-used conventional arms. Amongst our IPIS personnel, Brian Wood has co-edited the book, co-authored the key
Informal Expert Group Meeting, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), Vienna, 22–23 April 2015
April 25, 2015Between 22–23 April 2015 IPIS was invited to participate in a two-day informal expert group meeting for UNIDIR’s project “Examining Options and Models for Harmonization of End Use/r Control Systems” (http://www.unidir.org/programmes/process-and-practice/examining-models-for-harmonization-of-end-use-r-control-systems). The objective of the informal expert meeting was to review common positions on p
IPIS Insights: The Arms Trade Treaty. Prospects and Challenges as it “enters into force”
December 23, 2014The entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on 24 December 2014 is seen as a sign of hope that irresponsible transfers of conventional arms will at last begin to be eradicated. Declarations of commitment by states around the world to implement the ATT have snowballed over the past year since the UN General Assembly voted decisively on 2 April 2013 to adopt the treaty. In this IPIS Insight,
Working paper on China North Industries Group Corporation
October 14, 2014The International Peace Information Service (IPIS) and the Omega Research Foundation (Omega) have undertaken a comprehensive review of one of China’s largest state-owned companies. Norinco – known formally as China North Industries Group Corporation (CNGC) was established in 1999 and consists of at least 46 member units which then have several subordinate companies, joint ventures and associate co