IANSA Update 10 October 2008
First Committee on disarmament begins at United Nations HQ
Americas Security Ministers discuss armed violence
The MDGs and an ATT: new Oxfam report
South Sudan and Kenya under scrutiny over arms from Ukraine
Burundi: Armed attacks on albinos people
Nicaragua: Women's groups say President is inciting violence
Other news: WN Bulletin 16 online; Harvard Injury Bulletin; UN Firearms Protocol meeting; ECOWAS Convention; OSCE guidelines on ammunition; Jobs at UNDP and ICBL
First Committee on disarmament begins at United Nations HQ
The Arms Trade Treaty was back on the agenda at the UN this week, as the First Committee on peace and international security opened at the General Assembly. States will consider a draft resolution to mandate an Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on the import, export and transfer of conventional arms. The OEWG would be open to all States, and would meet for two one-week sessions during 2009. A small group of IANSA members will attend the First Committee, including IANSA secretariat staff Bruce Millar, Mark Marge and Joseph Dube.
Americas Security Ministers discuss armed violence
Public Security Ministers from the Organization of American States (OAS) met for the first time last week to discuss regional initiatives against violence. The OAS General Secretary said violent death rates in the Americas region were comparable to an epidemic, with violence being the principal cause of death among 15-29 year olds. He noted that violence was not limited to the street, since 25 - 50% of women in the region suffer violence in the home. The conference Declaration referred to arms trafficking in relation to the drug trade and how the easy availability of guns contributes to organised crime in the region. IANSA campaigner Cesar Marin reported that many governments pushed for a greater focus on arms proliferation in the future.
The MDGs and an ATT: new Oxfam report
An effective Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) would support the Millennium Development Goals, according to a report by Oxfam International. The report states that at least 22 of the 34 countries least likely to achieve the MDGs are in the midst of - or emerging from - conflict. Read more here.
Representatives from Caribbean governments, regional NGOs and four island police forces held talks last week in Antigua on international arms transfers, development and the ATT. The two-day conference explored how the absence of global controls on the arms trade is fuelling crime, poverty and severely limiting development in the Caribbean. The conference Declaration is here.
South Sudan and Kenya under scrutiny over arms from Ukraine
Questions continue to be asked about the intended destination of a Ukrainian shipment of tanks and military equipment being held by Somali pirates off the coast of Mombasa, Kenya. The BBC reports that the letters GOSS on the ship's manifest could suggest the weapons were intended for the Government of South Sudan. However, the Kenyan Ministry of Defence has publicly denied this. Meanwhile a new SIPRI report says Ukraine could improve its credibility as an arms exporter by providing greater transparency and working more closely with the European Union. The report analyses Ukraine's small arms exports to sub-Saharan Africa between 2004 and 2007.
BBC
SIPRI
Burundi: Armed attacks on albinos people
Radio Publique Africaine in Burundi has reported that three albino people, including a 12-year-old girl, have been killed and mutilated by armed gangs who sought to sell their body parts in Tanzania. An albino survivor, currently under protection, confirmed that albinos' limbs are sold to 'witchdoctors'.
Nicaragua: Women's groups say President is inciting violence
IANSA member CEMUJER in El Salvador has joined the growing condemnation of the President of Nicaragua for his aggressive persecution of women's rights groups. President Daniel Ortega has a long history of hostility towards the Nicaraguan women's movement. Last month a group of his supporters, armed with sticks, rocks, machetes and mortars, harassed and threatened women participating in an anti-government demonstration.
Read more here.
English version
Other news
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