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| Global Week Of Action Against Guns Begins Today In 30 Countries |
1 July 2004
Press Release
Focus Group Discussion titled “Small Arms are Weapons of Mass Destruction” was held
Beginning from the 1st of July, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in 30 countries are participating in the fourth annual coordinated Week of Action Against Small Arms (1 – 9 July 2004) to draw attention to human toll of small arms proliferation and misuse, and to demand governments enact policies that put their citizens’ security first.
A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) at Tehsil Jamrud, Khyber agency (FATA) aimed at raising public awareness regarding the devastating effects of Small Arms on Humanity, was held on 7th July 2004. The event was organized by Community Appraisal & Motivation Programme (CAMP) in collaboration with Kher Khegara Tanzeem (KKT, Jamrud). More than thirty participants from different walks of life participated in the event. Tribal elders, Chiefs (Maliks), members of the community based organizations (CBOs), NGOs, teachers and Political Administration took part in the discussion.
During the discussion, Mr. Naveed Ahmad Shinwari, the Chief Executive of CAMP, highlighted the objectives of the FDG, INANSA Global Week of Action against Small Arms, facts & figures related to small arms, its fatal and tragic impacts on Human society and pointed out the old Pushtoon gun culture which impeded in the development of FATA. Mr. Roshan Khan, representative from local Political Administration of Khyber Agency, highlighted the local administration policies against the open display of weapons, which were recently put in place with the willingness of the local tribal elders and communities. He also stressed that small arms should be kept confined to houses only to keep one safe from robbers, terrorists and outlaws etc and should not be displayed to create harassment.
Speaking at the occasion Mr. Naveed Shinwari said,” Illegal firearms pose a major threat to public safety in our society, facilitating crime and fuelling and prolonging sectarian violence and other terrorist activities. Small arms and light weapons such as assault rifles are especially suited to create harassment, sectarian violence, and other tribal feuds because they are cheap, easy to use, widely available and durable”.
Small arms are the real ‘weapons of mass destruction’. During the Week of Action thousands of citizens worldwide will die from armed violence. For too long human security has been sacrificed in the name of national defense. NGOs are demanding that governments reverse this imbalance and put the safety of their people first.
First launched in 2001, the Global Week of Action has grown to be the largest annual coordinated gun violence prevention event in the world. In 2003, 120 events were held in 42 countries from Bangladesh to Uganda (including Pakistan), in preparation for the UN Biennial Meeting of States on Small Arms.
During the detailed discussion the participants urged the local Political Administration to be responsive to the protection of citizens from armed violence, in line with international laws & standards and urged the government of Pakistan to bring security reforms in the country.
Naveed Ahmad Shinwari
Chief Executive
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