"Security and Justice in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)" Regional Review Conference on the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development Manila, Philippines | 8-9 October 2014

1. FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA (FSM)
Where is FSM?
FSM is a grouping of
607 small islands in the
western pacific . It is
comprised of 4 states,
each having its own
autonomous
government and
language.
 LOCATION: Southwest of Hawaii
POPULATION: 111,000
LANGUAGE: English
OFFICIAL CURRENCY: US Dollar
RELIGION: Catholic, Protestant,
others
LAND AREA: 702 sq km (271 sq
miles)
WATER MASS: occupies 1 million
sq.miles of the Pacific Ocean

3. I. SECURITY IN FSM
A. GLOBAL SECURITY
Compact of Free Association with the U.S.
Title Three: SECURITY AND DEFENSE
NO MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE FSM

4. B. REGIONAL SECURITY
PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM – assumed leading role at the
regional front to push for security efforts
- Biketawa Declaration
-Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands
(RAMSI)
C. DOMESTIC SECURITY & INSTITUTIONS
- State and Municipal Police Enforcement as stated on the
Constitution
- Immigration and Labor, Customs and Quarantine
Maritime Surveillance Unit (National)
- Elimination of illegal trafficking assisted by US – point of
entry to FSM – Hawaii and Guam

5. II. JUSTICE IN FSM
A. Our CONSTITUTION contains a DECLARATION OF RIGHTS similar to
the U.S. Bill of Rights, specifying basic standard of human and
individual rights and also provisions on traditional rights
B. Although these rights are enshrined in the constitution, the
challenge continues---many of our people are marginalized when it
comes to protection and enjoyment of rights.
C. The system has political and family influence --impacting Rule of
Law and Good Governance
D. Institutions are there but always underfunded with limited
capacities

6. III. ARMED CONFLICT AND VIOLENCE
 Deaths cost by Armed Conflict and Violence is still very low
 In the South West Pacific, Micronesia is the least armed,
and the least affected by gun violence.
 Kiribati, Guam, RMI and CNMI permit civil possession of
firearms
 Nauru, Palau and the FSM - law prohibit the private
ownership of firearms
 Generally, gun ownership in Micronesia is limited to .22 calibre hunting rifles and single-action
shotguns needed to control pests and wild animals.13 10 2 Only Guam, a territory of
the United States, permits civilian ownership of pistols and revolvers.4
 Of Micronesia’s five UN member states, only the Marshall Islands is active in the United
Nations small arms Program of Action (UNPoA). In 2009, three of the five Micronesian
nations with a seat at the UN — Marshall Islands, Micronesia (FSM) and Palau — voted to
begin negotiations towards an international Arms Trade Treaty.18 Kiribati, Nauru, and
Palau are the only three countries of this region to have signed, but not yet ratified, the
Treaty.19

7. FSM AND HUMAN SECURITY
 Armed conflict and violence is very low—Peace is a daily luxury
 However, FSM has its share of threats to human security
 Maritime Security Issues
 Climate Change
 Health Issues
 Development is slow, however it maybe what the islands need
as a preventive measure to human security---the peoples’
mindset, resources and capacities will need to be ready for
huge and sudden development to ensure we are able to handle
both advantages and consequences attached with the change

8. FSM’S CHALLENGES WHEN ADDRESSING
ARMED VIOLENCE AND DEVELOPMENT:
- No framework developed
- Lack of financial commitment, technical experts and
human resources
- Police force still lack capacity: national, state and local
- Geographical configuration remains a leading issue
- Rule of Law and lack of enforcement affect good
governance
-Implementation of the UN’s Program of Action on small arms and
light weapons, and the development of a strong and unified Pacific
voice at the treaty negotiations, are critical given the Pacific’s
vulnerability to the global arms trade and the widespread social
and economic fall-out of armed violence.

9. KALANGAN, KULOH, KAMAGAR, KILISOU
CHAPOUR