ADVISORY DATE: July 6, 2003 8:00 AM EST
CONTACTS: Jessica Galeria (917) 710-4296, Awa Ceesay (917) 710-4287 or
Emile LeBrun (917) 710-4293

Government Action on Small Arms:

"Poor Implementation of UN Action Plan"

WHAT: The IANSA Report: Implementing the Programme of Action 2003 reviews government efforts to prevent small arms proliferation since 2001, when UN member states agreed to move to stop the illicit flow of small arms. The report finds that governments are falling far short of their obligations, though a few states have made significant progress in implementing the UN Programme of Action on small arms."

WHERE and WHEN: UNCA Press Room United Nations Monday, July 7 12:30 -1:00 p.m.

WHO: Rebecca Peters, Director, International Action Network on Small ArmsOwen Greene, Research Director, Department of Peace Studies, University of BradfordPaul Eavis, Director, Saferworld

BACKGROUND: Small arms, including military assault weapons, rifles and handguns, are the primary weapons used in today's armed conflicts, and cause at least 500,000 deaths each year – mostly of civilians. The IANSA Report: Implementing the Programme of Action 2003, is produced by the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), in association with the Biting the Bullet Consortium (International Alert, Saferworld, and the University of Bradford).The report is being released during the UN Biennial Meeting of States on Small Arms, a week-long conference reviewing the activities of UN member states in meeting their obligations to restrict small arms trafficking. To view the report, visit www.iansa/documents/03poareport