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| Site Additions : May 2007 |
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| 25 May |
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Images from the Amnesty International 2007 Report.
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Amnesty International 2007 Report
Amnesty International (AI) has launched its 2007 report documenting human rights issues of concern to AI in 2006. Freedom from fear and freedom from violence are recurring themes of the report and sections are dedicated to Control Arms, Stop Violence Against Women, and Civilians Under Fire.
The body of the 2007 report provides an overview of human rights concerns in most countries in every region of the world. One alarming and unifying thread linking human rights violations in countries around the world is the use of weapons and particularly, the use of guns to commit violations. |
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ATT submissions are underway
66 governments have sent their submissions on an Arms Trade Treaty to the UN Secretary-General. 22 of these submissions have been posted online. More than 40 People's Consultations on the ATT have been held around the world so far, with at least 10 more coming up. In Africa, IANSA is urging Kenyan government officials to work with the Pan-African Parliament to encourage more African governments to make submissions as soon as possible. |
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| 18 May |
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New ATT consultation deadline approaches
Since the Control Arms People’s Consultation on an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) started in February this year, nearly 50 People’s Consultations have been held in 36 countries around the world. People were consulted at public meetings, seminars and through media work. Government and industry officials were invited to participate along with civil society representatives and members of the public. IANSA members also organised creative events to raise awareness of the ATT debate, including photographic exhibitions and an art competition (pictured above).
Following these consultations – and some intensive lobbying efforts and intergovernmental engagement – more than 66 governments have now made submissions on an ATT to the UN Secretary-General. Control Arms is urging all governments that have not made submissions to do so by the final UN deadline of 20 June.
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| 11 May |
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Amnesty International reports on arms in Darfur
Amnesty International (AI) has released a report outlining how arms and ammunition are still being transferred to Darfur in the west of Sudan for military operations. These are being used by the Sudanese government, the government-backed Janjawid militias and armed opposition groups to commit serious violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law.
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Caribbean: Crime, Violence, and Development
Gun murders in Trinidad & Tobago have increased from 82 in 2001 to 273 in 2005, according to a report on crime in the Caribbean by the World Bank and the UN Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC). IANSA member WINAD contributed to the section on gun crime in Trinidad & Tobago. |
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QUNO: Setting a New Agenda for Demand
The Quaker UN Office (QUNO) has published 'Setting a New Agenda for Demand Work: Next Steps in the Comprehensive Approach to Small Arms Control'. The paper is the outcome of a workshop held in Geneva in January 2007 and can be found on the IANSA resources page. |
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| 4 May |
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Italian arms exports at record levels
Italy’s arms exports reached record levels in 2006, with € 2.1 billion in authorisations – 61% higher than in 2005. Weapons actually delivered during the year came to nearly € 1 billion.
The figures are in the latest official report released in April. Italian law has required the government to report annually on arms exports since 1990. Unfortunately the yearly report covers only large weapons (tanks, helicopters, missiles etc), plus small arms that are fully automatic. It does not include guns like pistols or semi-automatic firearms, even though Italy is the world’s third largest exporter of these weapons. The Small Arms Survey put Italian small arms exports at USD 347 million in 2003.
According to IANSA member Francesco Vignarca from the Italian Disarmament Network, arms are being exported to unstable countries which provide no assurance that the weapons will be diverted elsewhere.
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PNG Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (PNG) was launched on 30 April 2007, in response to the rising tide of gun violence and the disappointing lack of any substantial action to counter this trend. Despite a government-held National Gun Summit in July 2005, out of which emerged specific policy recommendations, gun violence within Papua New Guinea continues unabated. |
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IANSA Women's Portal Update
The IANSA Women's Portal has been updated with a report on small arms and gender-based violence by the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, its Causes and Consequences.
Also, a new edition of the IANSA Women's Network bulletin is available for download. |
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