IANSA Update 4 April 2008
NATO: Excessive arms transfers to Afghanistan, reports AI
Aerial firing in Lebanon
Indian member article in Open Democracy
Mozambique: Good Policing Seminar
URGENT REMINDERS: One week until deadlines for BMS and Week of Action
Other news: GRIP presentation at GGE on Surplus Ammunition; Burundi - Dagropass bulletin; Global Day for Darfur; Global Day to Ban Cluster Bombs; Jobs
NATO: Excessive arms transfers to Afghanistan, reports AI
Amnesty International (AI) released a media report focusing on NATO arms transfers to Afghanistan during the NATO Heads of State Summit in Bucharest (2-4 April). AI is concerned that an excessive number of weapons are being imported to Afghanistan for use by security forces and pose a risk to the civilian population. The report argues that before further arms exports to Afghanistan are authorised, it is vital that NATO leaders ensure that Afghan armed forces are adequately trained in human rights law. It also calls for more effective stockpile security to prevent diversion to illicit recipients. Read more here.
Aerial firing in Lebanon
A dangerous phenomenon is appearing in Lebanon. During TV speeches given by political leaders, rival factions are shooting into the air to demonstrate their support for a particular politician, according to Fadi Abi Allam of the Permanent Peace Movement, a Lebanese IANSA member. This has already resulted in injuries. Fadi was quoted in an article on the first page of the Aljarida newspaper on 31 March (Arabic only). Read more here.
Indian member article in Open Democracy
Binalakshmi Nepram from the Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) has contributed to Open Democracy portraying the problem of gun proliferation in India. In the article, Bina describes the work of the Manipuri Women Gun Survivor Network (MWGSN), an Indian organisation that supports women affected by gun violence. Read more here.
Mozambique: Good Policing Seminar
A seminar on public security, its role for development and the need for civil society participation was held in Maputo, Mozambique. Organised by IANSA member Mozambican Force for Crime Investigation and Social Reinsertion (FOMICRES), the event was well-attended by police authorities. It enabled FOMICRES to present its draft strategy on a community crime prevention model based on community policing.
URGENT REMINDERS: One week until deadlines for BMS and Week of Action
There are just nine days until the deadline for UN accreditation to the BMS. The deadline is 13 April 2008. IANSA encourages members to request accreditation even if they do not plan to attend. This will demonstrate that the UN small arms process has strong support from civil society worldwide. To apply for accreditation, please complete the draft letter on our website. The letter must be on your organisation's letterhead and signed and sent to Silvia Mercogliano at the UN. You can fax it to +1 917 367 5369 or scan the letter electronically and then email to salw-unoda@un.org. A draft letter can be found here.
Please send us your plans for this year's Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, 2-8 June 2008. We have limited funding available to support activities during the week. The deadline to receive funding applications is 11 April 2008. If you are planning to take part this year, please contact Bruce Millar at bruce.millar@iansa.org
Other news
Join the IANSA Women's Network: email
women@iansa.org
Join the Million Faces petition in support of a global Arms Trade Treaty
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