IANSA Update 14 November 2008

DR Congo: At least 26 killed in mass shooting
Bangladesh: Gun free election campaign and peace forum
Colombia: Protest against military shootings of civilians
Pakistan: Shootings in the tribal areas
Other news: BMS in Disarmament Times, Sudan arms race, Sri Lanka conflict, Colombian march against kidnappings, Parliamentary Forum, job at ISS

DR Congo: At least 26 killed in mass shooting
At least 26 people were shot dead in the town of Kiwanja between 4 and 6 November, according to reports by the UN Mission in DR Congo (MONUC). Kiwanja is a town near Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Since August, the province has been suffering renewed conflict between Laurent Nkunda's armed group and various other factions, including government forces and Mayi Mayi militia. Kiwanja was attacked by Nkunda's troops and the Mayi Mayi, both groups targeting civilians. IANSA members in DR Congo are calling for urgent action by the international community and the UN peacekeepers to protect civilians and prevent further violence. Read more here

Bangladesh: Gun free election campaign and peace forum
The Bangladesh government has ordered that all guns be handed over to the police for the period between 3 December and 5 January, to ensure that the national elections during December will be gun-free. The government has also placed advertisements in national newspapers urging people to investigate their political candidates and refuse to vote for candidates with a history of gun violence. This campaign followed the first National Peace Forum, held in Dhaka on 26 October. At the forum, ex-military leaders, former members of the judiciary, and academics called for stronger small arms control policies. The forum was organised by 15 groups, some of them IANSA members, including Bangladesh Development Partnership Centre (BDPC). It received national media coverage.
Gun-free election campaign.
Peace Forum.

Colombia: Protest against military shootings of civilians
The families of 50 Colombian civilians murdered by soldiers in the province of Meta are protesting outside the office of the Federal Prosecutor in Bogota, demanding justice. The victims are known as 'false positives', because the military initially claimed they were rebel fighters killed in battle. Hundreds of 'false positives' have been reported across Colombia, but these 50 were all victims of the army's Fourth Division. The families are calling for the Division commander to be dismissed and prosecuted, and asking the US government to stop providing military assistance to the Fourth Division. Read more here.

Pakistan: Shootings in the tribal areas
Two recent high-profile shootings have highlighted insecurity in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan. On 12 November gunmen killed Stephen Vance, project director for USAID's programs in the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA). His driver was also killed. On 13 November, Iranian diplomat Heshmatollah Attarzadeh Niyaki was kidnapped by gunmen, and his driver shot dead. Both attacks took place in Peshawar, capital of NWFP. Despite the difficulties of working in the province, a public forum on the Women & Children Protection Bill was organised in Peshawar on 3 November by Blue Veins, a member of the IANSA Women's Network. The forum discussed measures to prevent armed domestic violence.

Other news

• The 2008 UN Biennial Meeting of States (BMS) is reviewed in the latest issue of Disarmament Times, in an article written by Sejal Vora, IANSA's former Communications Assistant. Read more here. (volume 31, number 3)
• Experts are concerned about regional instability caused by an arms race between the Governments of Sudan and Southern Sudan. A long list of countries are reportedly providing assistance, small arms or ammunition to the militaries of these governments. Read more here.
• India should help end the conflict in Sri Lanka, urged campaigners at a seminar in Delhi on 9 November. Sri Lankan activist Sheen Saroor spoke about the impact of the conflict on displacement and also women. The event received national media coverage. Read more here.
• In Colombia, former hostage Ingrid Betancourt will lead a march on 28 November calling for the release of all hostages held by armed groups. The march is organised by REDEPAZ, with simultaneous events in several other countries.
• The General Assembly of the Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms was held in Arusha (Tanzania), 25-26 October. The Forum adopted policy statements on alcohol and firearm misuse and on how media advocacy can prevent gun violence. Some 25 parliamentarians from Africa, Europe and Latin America attended. Read more here.
• The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in South Africa is seeking a program assistant on Security Sector Governance. IANSA job board.

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