IANSA Update 21 March 2008
Albania: 20 dead, hundreds injured in ammunition explosion
Health Ministers declare gun availability a risk factor for violence
Mexico: World Conference on Injury Prevention
BMS accreditation reminder
Other news: Spanish campaigners win award, violence in Tibet, US Supreme Court debates gun laws, Burundi report, new SIPRI projects, jobs
Albania: 20 dead, hundreds injured in ammunition explosion
On 15 March, explosions at an Albanian military ammunition depot killed at least 20 people and injured over 350 others, including 40 seriously. The accident occurred during a program to destroy ammunition at the depot, which is near Vore village. More than 400 homes were destroyed and 10 times that many seriously damaged. About 4000 residents have been evacuated from the area. Thousands of unexploded artillery shells, mortar shells, grenades, and small arms munitions have been scattered into the surrounding area, up to 5km from the depot. Read more here.
Health Ministers declare gun availability a risk factor for violence
Firearm availability was declared a fundamental cause and risk factor of violence by the Health Ministers of 30 countries in the Americas. The Ministerial Declaration on Violence and Injury Prevention in the Americas was signed in Mérida, Mexico, on 14 March. The US did not sign. Read more here.
Mexico: World Conference on Injury Prevention
The 2008 World Conference on Injury Prevention was held in Mérida after the Health Ministers meeting, 15-18 March. Several members of the IANSA Public Health Network and IPPNW presented papers including Dr Ime John of Nigeria, Dr Emperatriz Crespin of El Salvador and Dr Walter Odhiambo of Kenya. Louise Rimmer, IANSA's Communications Officer, was there to assist with media outreach. At least 9 newspapers highlighted gun violence in their coverage of the Conference. Read more here.
BMS accreditation reminder
13 April is the deadline to apply for NGO accreditation to the UN for the Biennial Meeting of States (BMS) on small arms. Even if you do not plan to attend, you should apply for accreditation, to demonstrate civil society support for the UN small arms process. To apply for accreditation, please complete the draft letter on our website. The letter must be 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. Please copy Mark Marge, IANSA's UN Liaison Officer at mark.marge@iansa.org. Mark can also answer questions about the accreditation procedure. A draft lettercan be found here.
Other news
- The Control Arms campaign in Spain has received the annual 'iniciativa solidaria' award from the newspaper El Periódico. The ten-year campaign resulted in the adoption of Spain's first arms trade law last year. Read more here.
- Amnesty International is calling for China to avoid using excessive force against protestors in Tibet. The Chinese government has admitted that it opened fire during the protests on 14 March. Read more here.
- On 18 March, the US Supreme Court started a landmark case on gun laws. It will decide whether the ban on handguns in the city of Washington DC is illegal under the US constitution. IANSA members are supporting the city government which says allowing citizens to possess handguns will cause violence to increase. Read more here.
- The latest report from the Burundi Action Network on Small Arms, BUANSA / REBAL, outlines its activities, including weapons collection. Read more here.
- Small arms transfers, especially to Africa, are the focus of new research projects by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Read more here.
- The Fiji-based Pacific Institute for Peacebuilding & Development is seeking a Course Director. The Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) is seeking a research assistant for its border security program. More info on the IANSA Jobs Board.
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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