Security is an important condition for peace. States that fail to offer their citizens protection beget escalating violence. As insecurity grows, civilians tend to arm themselves. This tendency is gaining strength around the world. Small arms and light weapons play a decisive role in conflicts between groups of armed civilians and the state and between various groups of civilians. In many places civilians become victims of the explosive remnants of war, even long after a conflict has ended.

 

In some regions, the issue of failing and marginal states has also become linked to the issue of nuclear proliferation. This is particularly true in the Middle East and Asia (Pakistan, India). The consequences of international security policy and local political processes become entangled.

IKV Pax Christi carries out research on disarmament practices in various countries and supports national and international civil society measures that encourage governments to comply with disarmament treaties. It gave a prominent place to the international responsibility to protect civilians.