Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence 2007

Ghana: The Week of Action started extremely well in Ghana. Information about the Week of Action (WoA) was sent to the Deputy Minister of Interior, who chairs the National Commission on Small Arms. On Monday Radio Joy FM interviewed the Minister, who described what Ghana is doing to stop gun violence. Following the interview with the Minister, Joy FM interviewed Emmanuel Sowatey of the African Security Dialogue and Research (ASDR) centre and Valerie Yankey, from the UN Institute for Disarmament Research. Emmanuel and Valerie promoted the activities of the Ghana Action Network on Small Arms (GHANSA) and regional and international civil society networks (WAANSA and IANSA). Valerie also spoke about Ghana’s new responsibilities as chair of the African Union and the need for the government to send its views on an ATT to the UN Secretary-General. The story is posted at Joy Online. Emmanuel has also been interviewed about the WoA by two other radio stations, Gold FM and Adom FM.

India: CNN focuses on guns in India
India: The Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) is working with CNN on a series of television programs about the availability and misuse of guns around New Delhi (India). The reports are posted online here and here. Other WoA activities have included the launch of an online petition calling on the Government of India to do more to prevent gun violence and to support work on an Arms Trade Treaty. Click here to sign up to the petition. In Nagpur, south of Delhi, a public event was coordinated by Medicovet Rural Welfare Society (MRWS), including a stunt and provision of information on the arms trade. MRWS also wrote to a parliamentarian asking him to formally request that the Government make public its submission to the UN on the ATT.

Liberia: parade and petition on an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
Liberia: The Centre for Democratic Empowerment (CEDE) organised a parade on 11 June involving youths and students from Monrovia and surrounding areas. During the parade CEDE collected signatures for a petition on the ATT that will be delivered to the Government of Liberia. The petition urges the Government to make a submission to the UN Secretary-General by the final deadline of 20 June, and says the Government should play a leading role in the campaign for an ATT. On Tuesday, a public presentation on the ATT was held at the Monrovia City Hall. Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Minister Conmany Wesseh (a longtime member of IANSA), addressed the gathering.

Lebanon: People’s Consultation on an ATT
Lebanon: The Permanent Peace Movement (PPM) held a People’s Consultation on the ATT in Beirut for the Week of Action. The Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East office spoke in support of an ATT along with Lebanese academics specialising in the arms trade. There were 35 participants from different political and religious backgrounds and the event was well covered by the press.

Macedonia: UNDP and NGO joint press conference
Macedonia: A joint press conference was held in Skopje (Macedonia) with representatives from UNDP, Caritas France, CIVIL and Journalists for Children and Women Rights and Protection of Environment. Around 20 journalists attended the conference and the event was reported on by news agencies MIA and NETPRESS.

Brazil: Control Arms campaigns at gay pride march

Brazil: Sou da Paz volunteers launched the Week of Action in Brazil by taking part in one of the world’s largest Gay Pride Parades. Members of Sou da Paz marched down Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo together with three million people from around the world. Volunteers distributed over 1,000 Control Arms bandanas and flyers and marched with a huge banner supporting the ATT.

Russia: making the case for Russia to support an ATT
Russia: Vadim Kozyulin of the Center for Policy Studies (PIR) in Moscow had an opinion article published in one of Russia’s defence analysis newspapers. In the article, Vadim outlines why the Russian Government should support moves towards an ATT. He says the support of Russia and several other key states is critical to the success of the ATT. The article can be found here.

Papua New Guinea: government urged to make ATT submission
Papua New Guinea: The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) has activities planned throughout the Week of Action, including a significant amount of work with media. In addition to speaking out against gun violence, CSGV is urging the Government to develop its submission on an ATT as soon as possible. So far Australia and New Zealand are the only governments in the Pacific region to have done this, and CSGV says PNG should demonstrate leadership in the region, particularly given the proliferation of small arms in the country.

El Salvador: press conference and march
El Salvador: The women’s group Cemujer launched the Week of Action in San Salvador with a press conference followed by a public event where 2500 leaflets were distributed highlighting the problem of gun violence against women. 80% of women killed in El Salvador are shot by their partners. Cemujer is collecting signatures on a petition asking the congress to stop domestic violence offenders from owning firearms.

Cote d’Ivoire: launch of WoA
Cote d’Ivoire: The WoA was launched in Cote D’Ivoire by the Group for a Just Society. The ceremony was held at the Palais de la Culture in Treichville and was attended by a representative of the Minister for Justice, along with members of parliament, civil society representatives and students.

Global Week of Action Update 13 June 2007

USA: march against gun violence and new gun study in California

Pakistan: conference and call to establish National Commission

Nepal: action card campaign

Mozambique: WoA broadcast nationally

Ghana: more interviews on WoA

South Africa: media briefing in Johannesburg

Mali: Amnesty International youth group involved in WoA

UK: silent women's vigil

USA: march against gun violence and new gun study in California

USA: Hundreds of people marched silently in Chicago on Tuesday night to protest against gun violence. Over a hundred children carried 31 caskets symbolising the 31 Chicago students killed by guns this year. Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church organised the rally. WBBM Chicago covered the story. Also on Tuesday, the University of California at Davis launched a study on gun sales in that state. The study found there are fewer illegal sales of guns privately and at gun shows in California than in neighbouring states. Authors of the study attribute the lower rate of illegal sales to California's strong gun laws that prohibit undocumented private gun sales. The research was covered by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Pakistan: conference and call to establish National Commission

Pakistan: Blue Veins (an IANSA Women's Network member) had an article published in Frontier Post. Blue Veins called for the establishment of a National Commission to address gun violence and to support implementation of the UN Programme of Action on small arms.

Nepal: action card campaign

Nepal: On Wednesday Amnesty International (AI) Nepal ran an action card program as part of its People's Consultation on an Arms Trade Treaty. Around 500 people signed the action cards, including the Attorney General of Nepal Mr Yagya Murti Banjade, the Central President of Nepal Bar Association Mr Biswakanta Mainali, the Founder of AI Nepal Nutan Thapaliya, the former President of Nepal Bar Association Shambhu Thapa and the Director and Chairperson of AI Nepal. The completed action cards call on the Nepalese Government to support an ATT, and they will be sent to Nepal's Foreign Minister. As part of the program AI also handed out information leaflets on the global campaign for an ATT.

Mozambique: WoA broadcast nationally

Mozambique: On Monday FOMICRES and the WoA were publicised on two radio stations in Mozambique, including a national broadcaster. The Director of FOMICRES has also been invited to discuss the Government's submission on an ATT.

Ghana: more interviews on WoA

Ghana: Emmanuel Sowatey was interviewed about the WoA on Wednesday by Unique FM, a radio station that is part of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). The interview was later broadcast on Metro TV.

South Africa: media briefing in Johannesburg

South Africa: IANSA members in South Africa held a media briefing on Wednesday. A national newspaper journalist interviewed Joseph Dube (IANSA Africa Coordinator), Claire da Silva (legal adviser to the ATT Steering Committee) and Makoma Lekalakala (WoA Coordinator for South Africa).

Mali: Amnesty International youth group involved in WoA

Mali: Amnesty International (AI) Mali helped to organise a radio program on Monday to discuss gun violence and the WoA. Members of the public were encouraged to phone in with questions. On Tuesday members of AI's youth group visited a local arms manufacturer to discuss the WoA.

UK: silent women's vigil

UK: The IANSA Women's Network and Women in Black held a silent vigil in London on Wednesday night to mark the WoA.

Global Week of Action Update 14 June 2007

Kenya: WoA in the news and on the road
Costa Rica: conference on Lasting Peace in Central America
Pakistan: comprehensive media coverage
Mali: hip-hop concert says 'no' to guns
South Africa: MP briefing and consultation meeting
Kosovo: gun destruction
India: opinion article by Dr Chenoy
DRC: launch of IANSA AK-47 price survey
Namibia: WoA radio program and article
Macedonia: coverage of WoA media launch
Paraguay: WoA advertised on news site
Colombia: Student march for WoA

Kenya: WoA in the news and on the road
Kenya: On Wednesday the Director of the Security Research and Information Centre (SRIC), Jan Kamenju, featured on KTN and Citizen TV news. On Thursday Camlus Omogo was interviewed on Metro FM, where he promoted the national action network's (KANSA) "Stop Gun Matatu" activity. KANSA hired a matutu (minibus taxi) as a mobile campaign workshop. The Stop Gun Matutu provided free transport to passengers, who were given Control Arms flyers, stickers and posters during their ride.

Costa Rica: conference on Lasting Peace in Central America
Costa Rica: The UN Secretary-General, the President of Costa Rica and Ana Yancy of the Arias Foundation (an IANSA member) were keynote speakers at a high-profile conference in New York yesterday. The conference was called Lasting Peace in Central America and included a workshop on security and violence in the region. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon spoke about how the illicit small arms trade undermines development. Ana Yancy spoke about the proliferation of guns in Latin America and the impact of armed violence on people in the region.

Pakistan: comprehensive media coverage
Pakistan: Blue Veins organised a media conference yesterday in Mardan that was comprehensively covered by Pakistan media including AVT Khyber TV, Aaj TV, The Muslim, Statesman, Express, Jinnah, Frontier Post, Kahabrain, Awam Un Nas, Alakhbar, Surkhab and Jang Rawalpindi. In addition to the conference, Qamar Naseem from Blue Veins was interviewed by Voice of America about the WoA. On Thursday Jahangir Piara, Founder of the Organisation for Peace and Development, was interviewed by Destiny's Light Radio. He advocated stronger gun licensing procedures and highlighted the need to challenge and change Pakistan's gun culture. The interview is online here.

Mali: hip-hop concert says 'no' to guns
Mali: Youth in Kati (just outside of Bamako) attended a hip-hop concert on Wednesday. The event was organised by Amnesty International Mali and the theme was "Youth of Mali say NO to arms". The rap group Tata Pound performed and a presentation on Control Arms was also part of the concert. Performers were interviewed about their commitment to preventing arms proliferation and banners were hung around the town to advertise the event.

South Africa: MP briefing and consultation meeting
South Africa: Gun Free South Africa has sent a briefing to around 200 Members of Parliament about the WoA. The briefing paper is online at Gun Free South Africa. On Thursday 25 representatives of churches, social movements and non governmental organisations discussed the Arms Trade Treaty during a consultation meeting organised by Control Arms. Guni Govindjee from Ceasefire made a presentation about the impact of the arms trade on sustainable development. Joseph Dube (the IANSA Africa Coordinator) briefed the group on the campaign for an ATT and the documentary ''War no More'' was shown.

Kosovo: gun destruction
Kosovo: UNDP Kosovo Small Arms Control Project (KOSSAC) is holding a gun destruction event in Pristina during the WoA. The weapons have been seized by Kosovo police as part of their criminal investigation work. The Project is supported by the UK and Swedish governments.

India: opinion article by Dr Chenoy
India: Dr Anuradha Chenoy, Professor at Jawaharalal Nehru University and Honorary Vice-President of the Control Arms Foundation of India, has had an opinion article published in the Imphal Free Press today. "India and the Arms Trade Treaty" argues that the Indian Government should support the Arms Trade Treaty development process. The article is available here.

DRC: launch of IANSA AK-47 price survey
DRC: WoA activities in the DRC started with the launch of the IANSA survey on the price of the AK-47 in 12 African countries. The release was followed by a press conference the following day which focused on the role of small arms in the recent murder of journalist Serge Maheshe. AVREO, the organisation that coordinated these events, also called on parliamentarians to support the global campaign for an ATT.

Namibia: WoA radio program and article
Namibia: Pauline Dempers from Breaking the Wall of Silence has been interviewed by the Damara/Nama service as part of a talkback radio program. An article about the WoA has also been published in The Namibian, titled "Let's get with the program on guns, urges NGO group".

Macedonia: coverage of WoA media launch
Macedonia: Coverage of Monday's joint press conference by UNDP, Caritas France, CIVIL and Journalists for Children and Women Rights and Protection of Environment is online.

Paraguay: WoA advertised on news site
Paraguay: Amnesty International Paraguay has published WoA news on the civil society newsgroup SC Noticias.

Colombia: Student march for WoA
Colombia: Students from Medellin marched through the town on Thursday to mark the WoA. The event was a joint effort by UNDP and local governments and was conducted as part of Plan Desarme.

Global Week of Action Update 15 June 2007

West Africa: Week of Action endorsed by ECOWAS President
Sri Lanka: amendments to outdated gun law
Argentina: President announces national gun buyback
Paraguay: arms control article on Senate website
Venezuela: People's Consultation and appeal to government
Mozambique: People's Consultation on an ATT
El Salvador: major public health conference
Fiji: Pacific NGOs hold media conference
India: Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Delhi
Chile: AI media and flyer distribution
Lebanon: coverage of People's Consultation
Namibia: article on gun control
Sierra Leone: Week of Action on talk show
Burundi: media conference and workshop
Tanzania: high-profile media conference
Pakistan: More coverage of Blue Veins' work
Macedonia: roundtable on human security
Mali: Tata Pound performs again in Bamako
Cameroon: launch for youth
Uganda: interview with UANSA Coordinator
Mexico: campaign video broadcast

West Africa: Week of Action endorsed by ECOWAS President
West Africa: The President of the Economic Community of West African Status (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has pledged West Africa's support for an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and formally endorsed the Week of Action (WoA) in Abuja, Nigeria. He made the statements at a press conference organised by IANSA members yesterday and reiterated them today at the ECOWAS Heads of State meeting. The WAANSA media release on the ECOWAS President's statements is available in English and in French on the IANSA West Africa page.

Sri Lanka: amendments to outdated gun law
Sri Lanka: The Government this week announced an amendment to the Firearm Ordinance of 1917 which will significantly tighten Sri Lanka's gun law. Penalties for the illegal possession and transport of firearms will increase, a clause relating to private security companies will be added and the use of guns in animal traps will be outlawed. The South Asia Small Arms Network (SASA-Net) issued a media release in response to the announcement, calling it a victory for activists who have campaigned for more than two years for changes to the outdated law. SASA-Net's media release is here.

Argentina: President announces national gun buyback
Argentina: President Néstor Kirchner of Argentina announced the country's first national gun buyback on Friday. The program will begin on 28 June in the town of Necochea, where the shooting deaths of a teenage boy last year caused a public outcry over the proliferation of guns in Argentina. All firearms can be handed in to the program in return for cash, depending on the value of the weapon. The buyback will be accompanied by a major public awareness campaign highlighting the danger created by a gun in the home. The program was developed in consultation with victims' groups and the Argentina Disarmament Network (the national IANSA members' network). The announcement received extensive media coverage.

Paraguay: arms control article on Senate website
Paraguay: A group of Senators joined Amnesty International Paraguay this week in campaigning for an Arms Trade Treaty. Ana María Mendoza, president of the Senate Commission on Human Rights, along with Emilio Camacho from the Senate's Constitutional Affairs Commission, briefed the press about the human cost of the unregulated arms trade and the need for strong global controls. See the article on the Paraguay Senate website.
The Latin American news site Tiempos del Mundo ran two stories for the Week of Action. One is an interview with AI Paraguay's president Julio Torales, representing IANSA's Latin American network CLAVE. The other is a feature story about gun violence in Latin America.

Venezuela: People's Consultation and appeal to government
Venezuela: 40 university students gathered in Caracas for a People's Consultation on an ATT. Amnesty International Venezuela ran the workshop and plans to conduct more consultations in high schools. In Barquisimeto, 300 km west of Caracas, an AI medical students' group gave a presentation on the global campaign for an ATT. Finally, AI sent a letter to the country's recently appointed Director of Multilateral Affairs encouraging the Government to support the move towards an ATT. The letter explained the People's Consultation and the WoA, requested a copy of Venezuela's submission to the UN, and asked for a meeting with the Director to discuss Venezuela's position. The Director has already responded positively to the letter.

Mozambique: People's Consultation on an ATT
Mozambique: IANSA member FOMICRES organised a People's Consultation on an ATT in the Costa do Sol settlement in Maputo on Wednesday. This is one of several community consultations that will contribute to Mozambique's final People's Consultation report. A preliminary report was presented to the Government to assist in preparing its official submission to the UN Secretary-General. Members of FOMICRES were interviewed about the consultations and the WoA on Radio Mozambique, FM 92.30 and local radio stations in Chimoio and Inhambane.

El Salvador: major public health conference
El Salvador: IANSA's Public Health Network held a conference for students and doctors at the Evangelical University in San Salvador. Dr Andrew Pinto from Physicians for Global Survival (Canada) joined local doctor Emperatriz Crespin at the conference which focused on gun violence from a public health perspective. An interview with the organisers was broadcast on three national tv channels. The interviewees explained the impact of armed violence on public health and invited Salvadorans to get involved with the Week of Action activities. Meanwhile the women's group Cemujer continues to collect signatories for its petition to the Congress asking for a law to prevent domestic violence offenders from owning guns. More than 3500 signatures have been collected during the WoA.

Fiji: Pacific NGOs hold media conference
Fiji: On Friday the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre, Fiji's National Council of Women and the Pacific Foundation for the Advancement of Women held a joint media conference for the Week of Action. The conference placed the global week in a local context, highlighting abuses of power by the military following its seizure of power from the previous government in December 2006. Other issues discussed at the conference were the role of the media in conflict prevention, separation of police and military roles, and cultural links between masculinity and guns. The brief to media is here.

India: Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Delhi
India: Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) youth members observed a Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Delhi on Friday. Members visited police stations to discuss the significance of the WoA with police officers and distribute locally-produced flyers and campaigning materials. An editorial piece on 'Arms and the State' was published in the Imphal Free Press today. The article argues that governments must put more effort into preventing the illegal arms trade. Read the full article here.

Chile: AI media and flyer distribution
Chile: AI Chile distributed a WoA media release that resulted in radio interviews on Radio Universidad de Chile and Radio Bio. Both stations interviewed Juan Gomez, the Control Arms Coordinator in Chile. The campaigners also distributed 1000 flyers at a metro station in Santiago de Chile, where members of the public were extremely receptive despite the heavy rain.

Lebanon: coverage of People's Consultation
Lebanon: The Permanent Peace Movement (PPM) organised a People's Consultation in Lebanon earlier this week; an article about the consultation is here.

Namibia: article on gun control
Another media article on the WoA was published in 'The Namibian' on Friday. The piece was titled "Getting Gun Control In Our Sights".

Sierra Leone: Week of Action on talk show
Sierra Leone: On Friday Abu Bakarr Sheriff from the Sierra Leone Action Network on Small arms (SLANSA) and Memunatu Barrie of iEARN were on an hour-long talk show on Radio Kallion in Freetown. They spoke about the need for increased public awareness of the threats posed by small arms.

Burundi: media conference and workshop
Burundi: The Youth for Security Club held a press conference to launch the WoA and followed up with a youth workshop and a People's Consultation on an ATT. Célestin Miburo from the Youth Association for the Promotion of Human Rights was interviewed on Friday on African Public Radio (RPA).

Tanzania: high-profile media conference
Tanzania: The WoA in Tanzania was launched by Hurepi-Trust, CEPEDE and FoRDIA with a national media conference at the Ministry of Information Hall. More than 50 journalists attended from Kiswahili and English newspapers, national and local television crews, Radio Free Africa and the BBC. The event was covered by the Mwanachi, Nipash and Majira newspapers.

Pakistan: More coverage of Blue Veins' work
Pakistan: WoA activities by Blue Veins in Pakistan have received more coverage, in the Nawae Waqt, Kahabrian, Kahbroona, Alakhbar, Surkhab, Dawn, Express, Wahdat, Pakistan and Jang daily newspapers.

Macedonia: roundtable on human security
Macedonia: Journalists for Children and Women Rights and Protection of Environment organised a round table discussion on Friday titled 'How secure are you?' Participants in the discussion included representatives from several NGOs and Macedonia's Women's Union.

Mali: Tata Pound performs again in Bamako
Mali: A second hip-hop concert was held in Bamako on Thursday following the success of an earlier concert in Kati. The event began with a presentation on the Control Arms campaign and the famous Mali rap group Tata Pound wowed an eager audience for the second time during this week. AI Mali organised the concerts.

Cameroon: launch for youth
Cameroon: Youth and Students' Forum for Peace (CAMYOSFOP) and the national disarmament network (CANSA) launched the WoA last week in Nsimeyong, Yaounde. Eugine Ngalim from CAMYOSFOP and CANSA made a presentation at the event that focused on small arms, war toys and violent films.

Uganda: interview with UANSA Coordinator
Uganda: Richard Mugisha of the Uganda Action Network on Small Arms (UANSA) was a guest on a radio talk show on WBS FM on Friday. He discussed the Global Week of Action and the impact of small arms in Uganda.

Mexico: campaign video broadcast
Mexico: Oxfam organised the broadcast of a video on the impact of guns on the lives of Mexicans; the video was aired on two Mexican television channels.

Global Week of Action Update 18 June 2007

West Africa: Heads of State support ATT
Nigeria: concert for peace
Canada: Quebec introduces Anastasia's Law
Guatemala: overview of WoA activities
India: launch of CAFI website
Brazil: opinion piece in O Globo and spectacular public display
Afghanistan/Pakistan: conference by women's and cultural groups
Nepal: youth conference against gun violence
South Africa: flowers laid at memorial site
The Gambia: government meeting and awareness billboards
Cambodia: WoA workshop
Croatia: Women's group publicises WoA
Fiji: article in Fiji Times
Macedonia: children's art workshop
Sierra Leone: report on IANSA AK-47 price survey
Antigua and Barbuda: gun control editorial
Guinea: more than 300 firearms destroyed
Haiti: peace march
IANSA Women's Network and the WoA

West Africa: Heads of State support ATT
West Africa: The leaders of 15 West African nations have pledged their support for a strong and effective, legally binding Arms Trade Treaty. A paragraph on the ATT is included in the outcome document of the annual summit of Heads of State in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which took place in Abuja (Nigeria) on 15 June. The leaders also promised that all ECOWAS states would submit their views on the ATT to the UN Secretary General. The commitment in the Summit outcome document was a direct result of advocacy by IANSA members and staff. The outcome document is online here.

Nigeria: concert for peace
Nigeria: Also in Abuja on 15 June, the Global Week of Action was promoted by the band Great Sensational at their concert for peace in the Niger Delta region. Mimidoo Achakpa of the Women's Right to Education Program gave the band members IANSA pins to wear.
It was an exciting day for Mimidoo - earlier at the ECOWAS summit she had the honour of meeting President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf of Liberia, Africa's first elected female head of state. (President Johnson-Sirleaf also wore an IANSA pin.)

Canada: Quebec introduces Anastasia's Law
ACanada: The Province of Quebec has announced it will strengthen its gun law. The Bill is known as 'Anastasia's Law' in memory of Anastasia De Sousa who was killed in the Dawson College shooting last year. The law will ban firearms (including replicas) in all education institutions; oblige target clubs to report 'sporting shooters' who do not actually practice the sport; and encourage health professionals to report on gun owners who seem to be mentally unstable. Canadian IANSA member the Coalition for Gun Control welcomed the move. A video of the Coalition's President Wendy Cukier discussing the bill is here. The Coalition for Gun Control's media release is here.

Guatemala: overview of WoA activities
Guatemala: IEPADES started the WoA with a media conference that received coverage on television, radio and in print. On Tuesday the national network Red por la Vida ran a workshop on armed violence for youth, inviting students to learn about the impact of small arms and gun violence prevention. IEPADES joined with government officials for a presentation on the impact of guns in Guatemala on Wednesday. The Deputy Minister for Community Support and Carmen Rosa de Leon from IEPADES were the main presenters. Thursday saw further radio coverage of the WoA and on Friday, Red por la Vida organised the screening of a documentary on gun proliferation in Guatemala. The high-profile event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Justice, the Secretary of Peace, the Human Rights Public Prosecutor as well as representatives of the Peace Agreements Commission, the National Commission for the Eradication of Illegal Arms and the Department of Arms and Ammunitions Control. Throughout the week IEPADES visited schools to talk to students about the proliferation of small arms and gun violence prevention.

India: launch of CAFI website
India: The Control Arms Foundation of India website has been launched: http://cafi-online.org This is the culmination of a huge amount of work by CAFI. The organisation's founder, Bina Nepram, deserves particular congratulations for her role in developing the site. Media coverage of the WoA in India has continued with a piece by Dr Bibhu Prasad Routray, Research Fellow at the Institute of Conflict Management (ICM), and two stories about Manipur Women Gun Survivors. They are all online:
'Guns should be used judiciously, say gun victims' survivors', by Akoijam Sunita

'Gun violence: Tales of shattered families, hope, aspiration' by Ng Liklaileima.

Brazil: opinion piece in O Globo and spectacular public display
Brazil: Ilona Szabó de Carvalho of Viva Rio's Human Security Program had an opinion piece published in the O Globo newspaper last Monday. Titled 'Security for Development', the article urges Brazil's Government to follow up on two important processes: the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Brazil's new National Plan of Public Security and Citizenship. The article is on the Comunidad Segura website. Sou da Paz ended the WoA in Brazil spectacularly with a public display on Thursday. Phrases and images about armed violence were projected onto a huge wall of water formed by fountains in São Paulo's central park. The slide show accompanied by music was visible to passing cars, while volunteers formed a human billboard nearby. Finally, around 200 cyclists assembled at the park to ride through the city at night, wearing t-shirts printed with the reflective lettering 'I support the Arms Trade Treaty'. The evening's activities were covered in São Paulo's two major newspapers along with radio stations and internet portals. A photograph of the water billboard is here.

Afghanistan/Pakistan: conference by women's and cultural groups
Afghanistan/Pakistan: The Hewad Organisation marked the Week of Action with a conference on gun violence held in Peshawar on Sunday. Women working in politics, civil society and cultural groups gathered at the convention. Presenters gave speeches, recited poetry and discussed the impact of gun violence locally and around the world. Also in Pakistan, the Organisation for Peace and Development has achieved widespread coverage of its WoA activities in broadcast and print media. The Organisation has also published and distributed a booklet in Urdu on gun violence.

Nepal: youth conference against gun violence
Nepal: The Centre for Research and Global Communication organised a conference on the Mission Against Gun Violence - The Role of Youths, on Friday in Kaski. Around 150 youth leaders, students and teachers participated, concluding that political parties, law makers and civil society needed to cooperate more on violence reduction strategies. They agreed that lasting peace in Nepal would make a significant contribution to stability in the region.

South Africa: flowers laid at memorial site
South Africa: On Saturday around 100 activists gathered at the Johannesburg war memorial to remember those who have died from gun violence. Reverend Peter Witbooi from the Methodist Church was the keynote speaker. Members of community organisations gave testimonies about the impact of illegal guns on their lives and communities. Participants endorsed the move towards an Arms Trade Treaty and said more resources used to buy arms should be used instead to alleviate poverty. Flowers were laid at the cenotaph as a symbol of resistance to guns amid the call that the world needs more peace gardens, not cenotaphs. The memorial rally was attended by members of the Ceasefire Campaign, Gun Free South Africa, and other civil society organisations.

The Gambia: government meeting and awareness billboards
The Gambia: The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding's (WANEP) activities have included the unveiling of billboards on major highways, calling for the prevention of small arms proliferation in West Africa. Early in the week WANEP Gambia met government officials and CECI/Oxfam representatives to discuss strategies for small arms control. The meeting agreed to extend a pilot project on small arms to other parts of the country. Other activities during the week included an hour-long program on Brikama Community Radio and an article in 'The Observer'.

Cambodia: WoA workshop
Cambodia: The Working Group for Weapons Reduction (WGWR) organised a workshop on National and Global Action against Gun Violence on Friday. The aim was to raise awareness about gun proliferation and misuse and to highlight the need for a global ATT. The workshop took place at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture with around 100 students, NGO representatives, journalists and government officials participating.

Croatia: Women's group publicises WoA
Croatia: Women's Network Croatia has publicised the Week of Action on the news site ZaMirZINE. The piece focuses on the disproportionate impact of gun violence on women.

Fiji: article in Fiji Times
Fiji: The Fiji Times has reported on last week's media conference held by the Pacific Concerns Resources Centre and Fijian women's groups. The article quotes organisers saying the Week of Action is not just about the physical misuse of guns, but also about how guns are used as political tools.

Macedonia: children's art workshop
Macedonia: Journalists for Children and Women Rights and Protection of the Environment ran a children's art workshop for the Week of Action. The pictures produced will be used to make a calendar for the 2007-2008 school year. Media coverage of last week's roundtable discussion on the WoA is here and a report about the impact of the unregulated arms trade on women and children is here.

Sierra Leone: report on IANSA AK-47 price survey
Sierra Leone: A media report on IANSA's AK-47 price survey has been published on Allafrica.com. Abu Bakarr Sheriff of the Sierra Leone Action Network on Small Arms is quoted on the importance of the WoA in mobilising civil society and governments to stop gun violence. Abu Bakarr Sheriff was also interviewed on UN Radio's Breakfast Show on Friday.

Antigua and Barbuda: gun control editorial
Antigua and Barbuda: An editorial on gun control in last week's Antigua Sun newspaper argued in favour of better gun control. Civil Organisation Promoting Peace in Youth (COPPY) responded with a letter to the editor that was published over the weekend, welcoming the editorial and noting the timeliness of its publication during the global Week of Action.

Guinea: more than 300 firearms destroyed
Guinea: 354 firearms were burned in Conakry last week by military and public officials. Experts say some of the weapons had been circulating through Guinea, Senegal, Gambia and Guinea Bissau for 60 years.

Haiti: peace march
Haiti: The Campaign for Violence Reduction in Haiti organised a series of activities during the Week of Action, including a peace march on Friday. Coverage of activities in Haiti is here.

IANSA Women's Network and the WoA
For a listing of IANSA Women's Network activities during the Week of Action go here.

Global Week of Action Update 22 June 2007

Nigeria: Liberian Minister, IANSA members on tv panel
Yemen: raising awareness about aerial firing
Sudan: Week of Action with a cultural focus
Uganda: meeting on ATT progress
Kosovo: art exhibition and documentary screening
Jordan: Wall Street Journal covers aerial firing
Burundi: ATT training workshop and media outreach
Syria: discussions on human security cooperation with Iraq
Spain: Survivors book launched in Catalan
DRC: women debate arms control
St Kitts and Nevis: urgent call for stronger gun control
Send us news on your WoA events

Nigeria: Liberian Minister, IANSA members on tv panel

Nigeria: Conmany Wesseh (Deputy Foreign Minister of Liberia), Valerie Yankey-Wayne, and Mimidoo Achakpa (Nigeria Action Network on Small Arms) were all interviewed about the Week of Action on the Kaakaki morning tv show last week. Kaakaki is a news-based talk show focusing on Africa and world issues relevant to Africans. The program is on African Independent Television which is broadcast in Africa, the United States and Canada.

Yemen: raising awareness about aerial firing

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.

Sudan: Week of Action with a cultural focus

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.

Uganda: meeting on ATT progress

Uganda: The Uganda Action Network on Small Arms (UANSA) worked with Terra Renaissance, UNDP and Saferworld throughout the Week of Action to raise awareness of gun violence and the ATT process. On 15 June the Inspector General of Police, Boniface Ebiu, attended a meeting with civil society and UNDP representatives. The UANSA Coordinator, Richard Mugisha, conducted two radio interviews during the week (with CBS FM and FM Radio One).

Kosovo: art exhibition and documentary screening

Kosovo: The Kosovo Center for International Cooperation (KCIC) ran a WoA event on 17 June at Gjilan. An art exhibition was displayed, small arms experts made speeches and a KCIC documentary was screened. Click here for a media article about the WoA and the event. The event was supported by UNDP Kosovo.

Jordan: Wall Street Journal covers aerial firing

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.

Burundi: ATT training workshop and media outreach

Burundi: Dagropass organised WoA activities at health centres in Zina and in Nyamitanga, in the Cibitoke province. Several public events were conducted to raise awareness of gun violence and the ATT in Bujumbura and throughout the Bubanza and Cibitoke provinces, including a workshop at the Cibitoke High School on 11 and 12 June. Media outreach during the Week of Action included a press conference, interviews with Bubanza journalists and two radio broadcasts on Isanganiro and Bonesha FM.

Syria: discussions on human security cooperation with Iraq

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.

Spain: Survivors book launched in Catalan

Spain: In Barcelona, Fundacio per la Pau (Foundation for Peace) launched the Catalan version of the IANSA report ‘Survivors: Women affected by gun violence speak out’. The report was sent out to media and published on Fundacio per la Pau’s website. Following the launch, campaigner Eugeni Barquero conducted three television interviews and several radio interviews. Coverage of the report also appeared in some online media: El Pais as well as La Revista @ Pangea.

DRC: women debate arms control

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): On 16 June the women’s group Réseau d’Organisations des Droits Humains et d’Education Civique d’Inspiration Chrétienne (a Christian human rights, education and research centre) organised a debate in Kinshasa. Flory Kayemba from RECAAL presented the WoA objectives and participants discussed arms control measures, the proposed ATT and UN arms embargoes. Several people described their personal experience and knowledge of the illegal arms trade around Kinshasa. Flory was interviewed by CBS and the interview was broadcast the following day. Coverage of the WoA appeared in the newspaper ‘Potentiel’ on 16 June and on allAfrica.com.

St Kitts and Nevis: urgent call for stronger gun control

St Kitts and Nevis: An opinion piece by Lindsay Grant, Political Leader of The People’s Action Movement, was published in the St Kitts & Nevis Democrat newspaper on 18 June. The article calls for urgent research on the source of guns in St Kitts and Nevis and immediate efforts by the Government to stop gun violence in the country.

Send us news on your WoA events

We want to hear all about your WoA activities. Please send updates, links to media reports and photographs to woa@iansa.org. We are currently compiling the global report on the Week of Action and we want to ensure that all your activities over the period are included.

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