• E4J University Module Series: Firearms

• Module 5: International Legal Framework on Firearms

• Introduction and learning outcomes

• Key issues

  • International public law and transnational law
  • International instruments with global outreach
  • Commonalities, differences and complementarity between the global instruments and tools for their implementation
  • Tools to support the implementation of the global instruments on firearms and conventional weapons
  • Other United Nations processes
  • The Sustainable Development Goals
  • Multilateral and regional instruments
  • Summary
  • References

• Exercises

• Possible class structure

• Core reading

• Advanced reading

• Student assessment

• Additional teaching tools

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• First published in July 2019
  

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  This module is a resource for lecturers  

 

Possible class structure

 

This section contains recommendations for a teaching sequence and timing intended to achieve learning outcomes through a three-hour class. The lecturer may wish to disregard or shorten some of the segments below in order to give more time to other elements, including introduction, icebreakers, conclusion or short breaks. The structure could also be adapted for shorter or longer classes, given that the class durations vary across countries.

Pre-Class

Assign from the core reading section the UNODC paper on Comparative Analysis of Global Instruments on firearms and other Conventional Arms: Synergies for Implementation as well as the Guide to the UN Small Arms Process: 2016 Update. Ask students to think about whether the international legal framework goes to the heart of the problem and what according to them is missing.

First Session

Lecture on the global international instruments and familiarize the students with the national legal framework to counter illicit manufacture and transfers of firearms. and outline the sources of international law.

Second session

Conduct exercise 1. Lecture on the commonalities and differences between the global instruments, key international and regional instruments. Conduct exercise 2 in small groups and further discuss the existing gaps in the instruments.

Third session

Lecture on the regional instruments and underline how they are linked to the global instruments. Highlight examples of when the regional instruments differ or go beyond the global ones. Discuss the implications for States parties to both. Conduct exercise 3 in small groups. Conduct student assessment.

 

Next: Core reading

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