Email Louise Rimmer (IANSA Communications Officer) for the contact details for the organisers of these events.
Bahrain
Amnesty International Bahrain is organising a workshop at the National Act and Democratic Society. Participants will include Members of Parliament and representatives from non-governmental organisations.
Jordan
In preparation for the WoA, Ali Al-Zenat from Madaba Society for Sustainable Development was interviewed for an article on aerial firing in the Wall Street Journal. The article is titled ‘For Jordanians, Shotgun Weddings Can Be a Problem’ and can be accessed online by subscribers to the Journal.
Lebanon
The Permanent Peace Movement organised a workshop on 11 June. The director of Amnesty International’s Middle East regional office spoke in support of an ATT, as did a noted Lebanese academic specialising on the arms trade. There were 35 participants from different political and religious backgrounds, and the event was apparently well covered by the press. An article about the consultation can be found here.
Sudan
The Sudan Centre for Theatre Research, Culture & Development (SCTR) completed a series of WoA events last week, concentrating on culture and the ATT. Activities included broadcasts on Omdorman radio and television, an event for students at the Sudanese National Theatre, drama workshops and theatrical performances about the arms trade. SCTR obtained pledges of support for the work of IANSA’s middle east network, MENAANSA, from the Interior Minister Zubeir Beshir Taha as well as the Commissioner in charge of DDR in North Sudan.
Syria
The WoA was launched in Syria with a press release by the Arab Net for Research on Landmines and Explosive Remnants of War. The launch was reported by the Al Baath daily newspaper. On 16 June the organisation’s Dr Ghassan Shahrour and Mohd Younes led discussions between representatives of civil society, health and social organisations. Arab Net also welcomed a distinguished visitor from Iraq during the WoA: Sami Rasouli, Director of the Muslim Peacemaker Team based in Najaf. During the visit they discussed plans to promote cooperation among civil society in Syria and Iraq on human security issues.
Yemen
Al-Salam Organisation for Combating Revenge and Spreading Tolerance, Culture and International Peace held several Week of Action events in Yemen. 80 billboards were raised across the republic, the organisation worked on an agreement between tribes to stop celebratory fire during weddings, and several public events were held. WoA activities were reported in the ‘Yemen Times’. |
