IANSA Update 15 August 2008

Georgia: After the bombs, armed looting in Gori
Protest Russia's use of cluster bombs
Antigua: Death penalty to for gun crime
Afghanistan: Aid workers shot dead
Kenya: Arms availability increases violence in North Kenya
Other news: Anniversary of Gatumba massacre, NGOs at SADC Summit, Conference on non-violence

Georgia: After the bombs, armed looting in Gori
After a week of intense conflict between Russian and Georgian forces, civilians in the Georgian town of Gori are now suffering a wave of armed looting. During negotiations over Russia's withdrawal from Gori, rebels from South Ossetia are believed to be taking advantage of the insecurity in the area, attacking villages and robbing civilians at gunpoint. The United Nations has expressed strong concerns over the emerging humanitarian crisis and called on the armies to 'ensure that the current state of lawlessness ceases'. IANSA has several members in Georgia; our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. Read more here.

Protest Russia's use of cluster bombs
Human Rights Watch reports that Russia is using cluster bombs in Georgia, and the Cluster Munition Coalition has issued an urgent action alert. See how you can condemn this breach of international humanitarian law here.

Antigua: Death penalty to for gun crime
The government of Antigua says it will introduce the death penalty for gun-related crimes, whether fatal or not, including arms trafficking. This development follows the shooting murder of a British couple holidaying in the Caribbean nation in July. The current law allows the death penalty only for crimes that end in death. Civil society organisations believe the government should review its small arms control measures rather than resort to capital punishment. IANSA member Civil Organization Promoting Peace in Youth (COPPY) says preventative policies to reduce arms trafficking are a more effective way to prevent armed violence. Read more here.

Afghanistan: Aid workers shot dead
In Afghanistan, four aid workers from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) have been killed by Taleban gunmen. The victims, 3 foreigners and one Afghan, worked on a local project that helps children with disabilities. Their vehicles were attacked by five gunmen in the province of Lohar and later found riddled with bullet holes fired at close range. A recent report by IRIN found that worsening insecurity in Afghanistan is reducing the ability of humanitarian agencies to deliver aid, because the lives of their own workers are increasingly in danger. At least nine aid workers have been shot dead there this year. The IRC has suspended its programmes in Afghanistan. Read more here.

Kenya: Arms availability increases violence in North Kenya
The widespread availability of firearms in northern Kenya is contributing to an increase in people being killed during livestock raids, according to the Kenyan Red Cross Society.. Over 60 people died during a clash between the Turkana and Pokot communities on 29 July. Nomadic tribes suffer from a lack of basic amenities and often turn to stealing cattle to survive, but easy access to guns has made cattle-rustling more violent. Civil society organisations have suggested disarming civilians using incentives such as trading guns for livestock, which has proven successful in several districts. Stricter border control between Kenya and Uganda might also curb the flow of illicit arms. Read more here.

Other news

• This week we commemorate the fourth anniversary of the Gatumba massacre in Burundi. On 13 August 2004, 156 people were killed, most of them women and children, during an attack on the Gatumba refugee camp. IANSA member, Pastor Jacques Rutekereza of SOS Droits de l'Homme en Catastrophe, was killed in the attack with six of his children. IANSA has dedicated a webpage to the victims of this tragedy here.
• NGOs in Southern Africa have called on all governments in their region to impose an arms moratorium on Zimbabwe. The communiqué of the SADC NGO Roundtable is being delivered to the SADC Summit of Heads of States, to be held 16-17 August in Johannesburg (South Africa). The communiqué also urges the governments to sign and ratify the new international Convention against Cluster Munitions.
• The International Movement for Reconciliation (MIR-IRG) will hold its summer conference on non-violence on 29-31 August in Brussels (Belgium). The event coincides with 60th anniversary of the death of Gandhi and the 40th anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King.

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