Email Louise Rimmer (IANSA Communications Officer) for the contact details for the organisers of these events.
Bahrain
Amnesty International initiated the Week of Action by calling on MPs in the House of Representatives and the Shoura Council to sign the Control Arms Parliamentarians Declaration in support of an international ATT. Four MPs signed the declaration and AI will report on additional signatures throughout the week.The evnst received coverage in All Headline News.
Iraq
A conference on small arms control was organised near Baghdad on 4 June by the Babylon National Human Rights Association. The conference was attended by representatives of the national government, civil society, tribal representatives and other Iraqi political actors. A statement issued by the conference called upon the authorities to establish national mechanisms to control the possession of guns by civilians and armed groups.
Jordan
Up-and-coming lawyers had an opportunity to discuss national arms legislation with legal professionals at the University of Jordan in an event organised by Madaba for Supporting Development (MSD). Representatives from the Judicial Institute of Jordan and the Ministry of Health supported the discussions, and students were asked to study the current legislation before presenting their recommendations.
1000 more students took part in an anti-gun violence march also organised by MSD. Participants wore t-shirts declaring ‘No to Gunshots’ and were also given lectures on the dangers of armed violence and the role the government in developing strict control on arms trade. The event even received royal support – Princess Alia al-Faisal participated alongside several governors and members of the armed forces. Ali Al-Zenat, director of MSD also made several media appearances during the week including TV and radio.
Lebanon
Permanent Peace Movement (PPM) has released a song in French, Arabic and English to promote the Week of Action. The song contains messages about peace and the need for arms control and will be distributed to radio stations throughout the week.
PPM later engaged the public with street theatre performances about gun violence on 5 June at the Martyrs Square in Beirut. Fadi Abi Allam, the president of PPM, conducted interviews with media throughout the event.
Palestine
* Seminars with academics, students and activists
Defend International has collaborated with a number of NGOs in the Occupied Territory, including the Forum for Democracy and Rights for Community Development and Afaq. Academics, students and civil society activists attended workshops in Jabaliya, Gaza City and Al-Azhar University. A candlelit vigil will be held outside the UN headquarters in Gaza City on 4 June.
* Events at Ramallah Universities
Defend International held open meetings in universities in Ramallah 3-4 June, encouraging participants to discuss how the use and impact use of small arms could be reduced over time. The meetings were held in Palestine Technical University and Modern University.
Syria
A community meeting was held in the town of Hajeera on the impact of gun violence on women on 8 June. Participants included representatives from local women’s groups, schools, youth organisations and the Alyarmouk Syrian Society. A second meeting was held in the Damascus Cultural Centre with health professionals and representatives from the Arab Net for Research on Landmines and Explosive Remnants of War. Dr Ghassan Shahrour from Arab Net for Research gave a presentation on the global and regional problems of small arms.
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