Email Alastair McKay (IANSA Communications Officer) for the contact details for the organisers of these events.
Afghanistan
* Small arms conference held
On 22 June HEWAD in Kabul held a conference about the use, manufacture and impact of small arms. Speakers included Nasrat Amanullah, Director of HEWAD and representatives of cultural, educational, political and social organisations. This was followed by a Q&A session with the media.
Australia
* Expectation building for Pacific islands meeting
Pre-conference media publicity is helping to generate interest in a Pacific regional meeting on the implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms (PoA). The meeting was organised by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA) and will take place in Sydney (Australia) on 22-23 June. 17 Pacific countries are expected to be represented, as well as the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).Several IANSA member groups will also attend.
Bangladesh
* Bangladesh: wide coverage for campaign launch
The Global Week of Action was launched in Dhaka on 15 June with a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity Auditorium. The conference was covered by two TV channels, two FM radio stations, two English dailies and six Bangla dailies.
* Rallies in 3 towns in Bangladesh show strong public support for measures against gun violence.
Bangladesh Development Partnership Centre (BDPC) organised a series of rallies in the towns of Gazipur, Jessore and Satkhira. The marches were well attended and received good coverage in local media.
* Call for peace commission
A national commission on peace and security was recommended at a consultation held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity Auditorium on 21 June. Speakers included the country representative of South Asian Alliance for Poverty Alleviation (SAAPA) and the former president of the Bangladesh Medical Association. The consultation was organised by BANSA and BDPC, whose director, Sharif Kafi, presented a discussion paper. Sharif urged the government to create a National Action Plan to implement the UN programme of Action on Small Arms, and stressed the need for regional cooperation to address the problem. Media coverage included three TV channels, two FM radio stations, seven Bangla and two English newspapers, including the Daily Star.
India
* First national consultation on women and gun violence
The Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network has released the first responses to an online consultation on the subject of ‘Women and Gun Violence in India’. The consultation began at the start of June, using UNDP's online discussion group representing over 2500 women’s groups in India. Groups were asked to make suggestions about how to prevent gun violence and rehabilitate survivors. Suggestions included: linking national and international laws on gun violence; working to reduce the sense of militarisation in society; promoting the idea that women should not be viewed as victims of gun violence, but as valued participants in the process of reconciliation; and highlighting the voices of “gun widows” in the gun violence debate. “This is the first time that solutions for women and gun violence have been addressed in a nationwide forum in India,” said Binalakshmi Nepram of CAFI (Control Arms Foundation of India). “This is an amazing beginning for us.”
* Young people in Rajasthan pledge to avoid guns
Around 250 people in Kota District, Rajasthan pledged to avoid the use of guns in their villages at youth rallies today. The gatherings in the villages of Mandargar and Jaspura were organised by the Rural Development and Youth Training Institute RD&YTI, a community group in Rajasthan.
* Violence “from womb to tomb”
At a meeting of the Manipur Gun Survivors’ Network, Mrs M Sobita, Secretary of Women’s Action for Development, highlighted the difficulties faced by women. "Domestic violence for a woman starts from womb to tomb with the practice of abortion if it is a girl child,” she said. Mrs Sobita praised the group’s work in fighting domestic violence. She said that a large section of manipuri women face violence every day.
The meeting included moving testimonies from gun survivors, and concluded with a resolution to stay vigilant and work towards curbing domestic violence in Manipur.
* Nobel boost for ATT petition
The Control Arms Foundation in New Delhi has launched an online petition in support of the ATT. Already the petition has over 50,000 signatures, including Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen, former Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister Professor MGK Menon, actress Nandita Das, singer Rabbi Shergil, and activist Swami Agniwesh. Former Navy chief Admiral L Ramdas added his support to the campaign, saying: “As someone who has served in the Indian Navy around the world, I have seen the human cost of conflict and instability fueled by uncontrolled arms sales. An Arms Trade Treaty is a crucial aspect of ensuring security for India and the whole world.”
* Village rallies take peace oath
The Rural Development and Youth Training Institute continued organising rallies against gun violence and misuse of small arms in the villages of Mandargar and Jaspura and Damodarpura in the Kota District, Rajasthan. Over 600 people took an oath that they will not use any guns or weapons in their community. RDYTI also hosted puppet shows, theatre performances, workshops, village meetings and youth Leadership training camps.
* Gun survivor network set up; ATT support from government
Binalakshmi Nepram of CAFI has received agreement from the Government’s Department of Disarmament and International Security Affairs (DISA) to continue discussions about supporting the UN Process for an ATT.
In a further meeting on 19 June in the village of Moraing, a gun survivor, Mr Phillam Johnson, announced his plan to set up a Youth Guns Survivor Network, as part of the week of Action events.
There has also been a collaboration between CAFI; the Control Arms Foundation of India and women journalists over the past year to cover stories in armed conflict areas of gun violence.
Indonesia
*ATT campaign rolled-out in Jakarta
This is the first time Indonesia has celebrated the Week of Action. Civil rights group LaPASIP held street campaigns in central Jakarta and distributed information on the work of IANSA and the campaign for a strong ATT. The campaign was well-supported by local people, and the police. Future plans include a concert at TMII, a tourist attraction in Jakarta. Click here for examples of media coverage.
Nepal
*Research papers presented
Parliamentarians, policy makers and representatives of the police and army heard evidence about the impact of small arms on innocent people at a meeting in Kathmandu. The meeting, jointly organised by the Institute of Human Rights Communications Nepal (IHRICON) and South Asia Peace Alliance (SAPA Nepal) featured two research papers, “Impact of Small Arms in the Peace Process of Nepal: Role and Responsibility of Policy Makers” and “Use and Impact of small arms on innocent people and Criminal Activities”. Mr. Rudra Nepal, assistant Secretary at the Foreign Ministry was among the 65 delegates. The meeting heard calls for Nepal to support the Arms Trade Treaty process. Afterwards, survivors of armed conflict shared their experience in a live radio interview on Image F.M.
*Arms brokering on the agenda for South and Central Asia
Government representatives from 10 countries in Central and South Asia joined a workshop on controlling arms brokering organised by the UN Regional Centre for Peace & Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNCRPD), Kathmandu, 17-18 June. Participants shared information on procedures to prevent illicit arms dealing. According to Shobha Shrestha of SAP Nepal: “This was an important first step for many countries who have previously been silent on small arms issues in this region.” IANSA Policy Officer Alun Howard gave a presentation on the recent work of IANSA members in the region. The workshop was covered in regional online media Including the Web Newswire and Indopia.
* Petition for ATT support
Amnesty International Nepal collected over 1500 signatures calling for the Foreign Minister to support the process for a strong ATT. Signatures were collected in five areas of the country. A candlelit rally was held in Banepa on 17 June to raise awareness about gun violence.
* Bike rally to promote DDV campaign
Sixty-one cyclists rode through the streets of Kathmandu to deliver a memo to all political parties on 19 June in support of the Disarming Domestic Violence (DDV) campaign. The memo urged all parties to take action to prevent domestic violence committed with guns. The campaign launch was covered by Nepal TV, and in leading national daily and weekly newspapers. The event was organised by SAP-Nepal, SASA Net Nepal and Yatra, a youth organisation. Daniel Prins from the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs participated.
* Inventive campaign to highlight of gun violence
Student members of the medical anti-war group IPPNW ran a media campaign, publishing 10 letters highlighting the effects of gun violence in several newspapers. They also ran a writing competition in schools, for which students interviewed gunshot victims in hospital. A poster and leaflet campaign also took place.
* Child victims film screened
Gauri Pradhan, parliamentarian and member of the Human Rights Commission, was the guest of honour at a film screening in Kathmandu on 20 June. The documentary Ujyalotira (Towards The Light) shows how children are victims of conflict. It was launched by the Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal (NCBL) and Women Development Society (WODES). The audience included parliamentarians, human rights defenders, religious leaders and journalists.
New Zealand
* Call for ATT
Patrick Holmes, CEO of Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, called this week for a strong and effective Arms Trade Treaty. He said: “The gun violence epidemic cannot be treated by any one country acting alone: a global preventative measure is needed. New Zealand has a real opportunity to influence global human security and reduce the suffering around the world.” He was joined by Barry Coates, Executive Director of Oxfam NZ, who said that New Zealand’s participation in the ATT process was vital to ensure a tough and effective treaty.
* Medical journal article on Pacific gun violence
Dr Andrew Winnington highlighted IPPNW’s work in the Pacific region in the latest issue of the Journal of the New Zealand Medical Association. The article describes IPPN’s contribution to a Pacific-focused programme of arms control and disarmament to compliment other major IPPNW activities in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.
Pakistan
*
Risk to women from illegal firearms
At a briefing in the Multan Press Club organised by the Awaz Centre for Development Services, the organisation’s chief executive, Muhammad Zia-ur-Rehman, highlighted the launch of the Disarm Domestic Violence campaign. His statement included evidence that 70% of illegal firearms were being used in violence against women, and that rifles were being used to beat women, as well as threaten them. He said that in 85% of cases of domestic violence, police were reluctant to intervene, as they considered it to be a private matter.
Superintendent Shaukat Abaas of the District Police Office suggested that government should reduce the risk from firearms by launching weapon-destruction programmes, establishing gun-free zones and hardening the rules on gun ownership.
* Poster and press coverage
Blue Veins, a women’s group based in the North West Frontier Province, produced a poster linking the themes of the dangers of guns in the home and community. They also received widespread media coverage throughout the week including Daily Surkhab, Daily Subah, Daily Nawe Waqt, Daily Pakistan, Daily Jinnah, Daily Express, Daily Khabrain, The Daily Awam un Nass, Daily sheyaq, Daily Wahdat. Daily Jihad, and Daily Khabroona.
* High toll of domestic violence revealed
A survey report of the Disarm Domestic Violence campaign was shared at a press conference hosted by the Policy Research and Advocacy Unit of AWAZ CDS Pakistan. Among the findings was the shocking statistic that 65% of illegal firearms are being used in violence against women. The group made several demands, including the reduction of the quantity of arms in circulation by way of a Government-sponsored weapons collection and destruction programme.
* Schools highlight domestic violence
In Peshawar, Community Initiatives Support Services (CISS) campaigned to raise awareness of the problem of guns in the home. On 15 June they organised a drawing competition at Rose Model Primary School, followed by a competition for middle-level students at Khyber Islamic Model School on 16 June.
On 18 June, CISS held a community gathering with emphasis on youth involvement, Their activities ended on 20 June with a walk through Peshawar led by Syed Iqbal Jafri, Col.(R) Iftikhar Ahmed Qazi and Imdad Khan Afridi (Executive Members of CISS). Personnel from the local administration and the police also joined in.
CISS gained extensive media coverage for the Disarm Domestic Violence campaign, with items in The Nation, The Frontier Star, The Frontier Times, Voice of Peshawar, Daily Surkhab Peshawar, Daily Il Haaq, The Daily Awam Un Nass and The Daily Pakistan Peshawar.
* Rally followed by seminar on armed violence
More than 100 people, including government officials, doctors, teachers, students, political leaders and NGOs, attended a seminar on ‘Armed Violence and Peace’ organised by STEP in Khushab, Punjab Province. Tabinda Qamar from the Community Participatory Initiative said: “Civil society must mobilise, organise and resist gun violence at all levels”. The seminar was preceded by a rally through Khushab on 17 June, and a press conference on 16 June. Media coverage was extensive, including the Express, Jinnah, Islam, Dawat-e-amal, Jang and Tijarat.
Philippines
* Students urge the Philippines to go ‘Gun Free’
Tragedy marked the Week of Action in the Philippines, when the father of Patty Bugayong, one of the campaigners, was shot dead on 16 June. The incident reinforced the commitment of the Philippines Action Network on Small Arms (PhilANSA) to continue with their activities raising awareness of the dangers of guns. The IANSA Secretariat sends its condolences to the family and friends, on behalf of the global network. During the week, PhilANSA organised exhibits in colleges as well as a poster and essay competition where students were able to voice their opinions on the issue of arms control.
* Chant demands peaceful election
Campaigners urged politicians to renounce “guns, goons or gold” during the 2010 election campaign. PhilANSA made this call at the Election Commission in Manila on 23 June. Previous elections have been marred by gun violence involving political parties and their supporters. National media covered the protest, including GMA TV News.
Solomon Islands
* Media for PoA meeting
The national newspaper Solomon Star reported that the government would be attending the Pacific regional seminar on the UN Programme of Action on small arms, held 22-23 June in Sydney (Australia).
South Korea
* AI Korea promotes ATT petition
Amnesty International Korea has launched an online petition calling for the US to endorse a strong and comprehensive Arms Trade Treaty. The petition will be sent to the US Embassy in Seoul.
Sri Lanka
*
Survey on guns and domestic violence
The South Asia Small Arms Network in Sri Lanka launched a mini survey on guns and domestic violence on 16 June as part of the Disarming Domestic Violence Campaign. Questionnaires have been translated into local languages and are being used in three districts: Pollonnaruwa and Anuradhapura from the North Central Province - both on the border with the conflict zone - and Hanguranketha District in a peaceful zone. The results of the survey will be used in media outreach during the week of action. The information from these districts will enable SASANet to identify areas for further research. They hope to extend the research to other districts as part of the international campaign.
Tajikistan
* Weapon destruction programme completed
International experts visited Tajikistan from 15-19 June to assess the results of the recently-completed programme to eliminate the risks from surplus and insecurely-stored small arms and ammunition. Phase I of the programme (August 2005 to June 2006) addressed SALW and ammunition in the Dushanbe area. The second and final phase addressed similar risks in the country's regions, including on the Tajik-Afghan border. Phase II engaged over thirty national ministries and agencies. The programme, successfully completed in summer 2009, reduces human and environmental risks in the country, and paves the way to other OSCE programmes aimed at fighting organised crime and terrorism.
Thailand
* ‘Rule by the Gun’, report on guns in civilian hands
A report released today (15 June) by Nonviolence International Southeast Asia has called on the Royal Thai government to end the creation of civilian defence volunteer forces and stop the supply of firearms to civilians in Southern Thailand.
The report, "Rule By The Gun: Armed Civilians and Action Against Gun Violence”, says that the Thai government’s policy of expanding civilian volunteer forces and deregulating firearm sales to address the violent conflict in Southern Thailand has been counter-productive, leading to greater insecurity and ethnic and religious polarisation. The report suggests that the government’s policy has increased distrust between Malay Muslim and Thai Buddhist populations, while fueling a “security economy” in which arms proliferation becomes a source of income. The Media coverage: Radio Australia, South South Information Gateway, Malaysian National News Agency.
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