IANSA Update 30 May 2008
Final preparations for the 2008 Global Week of Action!
Endorsement by Sergio Duarte
TV ad against gun violence
Dublin: Over 100 nations agree on treaty banning cluster munitions
Bosnia: Six shot dead in family massacre
Kenya: More attention needed on small arms proliferation
Human Security Report: Conflict death rates going down
Other news: International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament, De-weaponisation and Civil Society, BICC short film on southern Sudan; Sri Lanka report: UMUT media training; Jobs
Final preparations for the 2008 Global Week of Action!
After months of excitement and preparation, the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence 2008 has nearly arrived. From 2- 8 June IANSA members in 70 countries will join UN agencies to raise awareness, campaign for better gun laws and push for stronger regulation of the global arms trade. Read more about events planned around the world here.
Endorsement by Sergio Duarte
The UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Sergio Duarte, has endorsed the Week of Action and the importance of small arms control. Read his statement here.
TV ad against gun violence
IANSA has secured agreement for a powerful 1-minute film against gun violence to be shown around the world during Week of Action events. Watch the film here.
Dublin: Over 100 nations agree on treaty banning cluster munitions
111 nations have adopted a landmark draft treaty to ban cluster bombs. Announced on 28 May in Ireland, the treaty will outlaw the use, production and sale of cluster munitions as well as require the destruction of stockpiles within 8 years. The British government has also agreed to remove cluster weapons from its armed forces and will ask the US to withdraw stockpiles from its UK military bases. Participating nations are expected to sign the pact in Oslo in December. IANSA member Laura Cheeseman, campaigner for the Cluster Munition Coalition, said: 'This is a very strong treaty. Cluster bombs can never be used, produced or transferred again, which is a clear victory for humanity.' The United States, Russia, China, India, Israel and Pakistan were absent from the conference.
IANSA
Stop Cluster Munitions
BBC article
Bosnia: Six shot dead in family massacre
Six people have been shot dead by a relative in a village near Tuzla in Bosnia. The first three victims, who lived next door to the shooter, were killed at home, and the other three on board a bus. The bus driver was also wounded. It is believed that the perpetrator was a former soldier and suffered from a post-trauma related disorder. Olga Palinkasev from the Centre of Security Studies in Sarajevo said: 'Our deepest sympathies are with the families of the victims. Atrocities such as these will continue to happen in Bosnia as long as guns are accepted as a part of normal life and are easily accessible. The CSS calls on the Bosnian government to introduce an immediate firearms amnesty to encourage citizens to hand in their guns without fear of prosecution. This would be a considerable step in removing guns from people's lives and keeping them safe.'
Centre for Security Studies
IHT article
Kenya: More attention needed on small arms proliferation
IANSA members in Kenya are calling for an investigation of the increase in illegal arms in Kenya during the post-election violence. The Peace and Development Network (Peace-Net), believes small arms proliferation was highest in Eldoret in February 2008 after the post-election crisis opened a new market for illegal arms trade. Recent studies suggest there are 100, 000 illegal guns in circulation. Weapons are thought to be imported from Uganda, Southern Sudan and South Ethiopia. Peace-Net said there is a significant danger that these weapons could be misused in the near or distant future, even if they are not in use now. Peace-Net plans to organise an arms surrender during next week's Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence. IRIN article.
Human Security Report: Conflict death rates going down
Fewer people are dying in conflicts, according to the 2008 Human Security Report. It reports a 60% drop in deaths from conflicts between non-state armed groups since 2003. The number of conflicts between states has remained relatively static since 2003, and there has also been a decrease in the number of conflicts that target civilians. Read more here.
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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