UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme conducted a scoping mission to Costa Rica, from 8 to 10 November 2023, in order to take stock of existing legislation, its implementation, as well as the firearms trafficking landscape. Led by Simonetta Grassi, Head of UNODC Firearms Trafficking Section, the team engaged with relevant ministries and organized technical discussions on the existing legislative frameworks.
The mission provided the opportunity to identify potential areas of collaboration with UNODC to combat illegal arms trafficking and its criminal associations.
The mission employed two diagnostic mechanisms:
- Bilateral Meetings, which included discussions with various ministries and agencies responsible for firearms control. These included the Ministry of Public Security, the Attorney General's Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among others.
- A Technical Forum on the Firearms Legislative Framework. The technical forum engaged the Ministry of Public Security's departments overseeing Law 7530 and its regulations, shedding light on implementation challenges and strengths.
Meetings with key stakeholders shed light on critical concerns surrounding the country's firearm landscape. Costa Rica has experienced a concerning increase in armed violence, leading to a heightened demand for firearms. Additionally, challenges persist in effectively investigating arms trafficking and various institutions highlighted that training and capacity within law enforcement agencies could be strengthened. Discussions culminated in recommendations aimed at addressing these pressing issues.
Overall, these discussions highlighted the urgency for comprehensive reforms and collaborative efforts to address the challenges posed by firearms and their illicit trafficking in Costa Rica.
The mission concluded with agreements to establish an Interinstitutional Group on Firearms and Explosives, fostering continuous dialogue among involved institutions. Moreover, an emphasis was made on the need to align legislation with international protocols and strengthen control mechanisms.
The mission's findings and collaborative strategies underscore the imperative for concerted efforts and enhanced legislative frameworks to ensure regional and global security.
