We know that small inexpensive hand weapons today kill a far greater number of people than the heavier types traditionally used in military engagements. Their uncontrolled use lead to widespread atrocities and violations of human rights. We are seeing an increasing number of civilian casualties. In today's conflicts up to 90 per cent of the casualties are civilians. The weakest, the women and children, are the hardest hit.
Armed conflict is a major barrier to development.
More than half of the world's 38 poorest countries are involved in an armed conflict . Violent conflicts now occur more often within, rather than between, countries. Only six of the 101 armed conflicts between 1986 and 1989 were conflicts between countries. The rest were various kinds of civil war. The widespread distribution of small arms makes it too easy to resolve conflicts by violence.