Site Additions: August 2006

25 August

Guns vs human rights: UN approves principles

A landmark resolution on human rights and small arms was adopted by the UN human rights sub-commission in Geneva (Switzerland) on 24 August.

Small arms and development: The UN Review Conference

The impact of the UN Small Arms Review Conference on development is explored in a report from the International Peace Bureau.

18 August

Remembering the Gatumba massacre

Sunday 13 August was the second anniversary of the Gatumba Massacre, when 156 people died during an attack on a refugee camp in Burundi, near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Most of the victims were women and children. Pastor Jacques Rutekereza, an IANSA member, was killed along with six of his children.

Bulletin Contrôlez les armes du Réseau national de Burundi sur les armes légères

The new Burundi national network against small arms has produced its August bulletin, summarising recent shooting incidents, international news, and campaigning activities.

New report on human rights abuses with small arms

Countries have a legal obligation to protect their citizens from gun violence, according to Professor Barbara Frey, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Small Arms.

Tanzania registers guns

The Tanzanian government plans to register all legally-owned weapons by the end of September. This is an important step in reducing gun violence in Tanzania.

4 August

Philippines: Parliamentarians support Control Arms

any parliamentarians in the Phillippines have joined the Million Faces petition for action to stop armed violence. During 2006, the Philippines Action Network on Small Arms (PHILANSA) has been engaged in developing support for legal reform amongst national parliamentarians.

Kenya launches Action Plan to reduce gun violence

A comprehensive package of measures to reduce armed violence in Kenya is contained in the five-year Kenyan National Action Plan published on 13 July. Gun possession and gun violence is most prominent in the Eastern and Northeastern provinces, according to baseline assessment accompanying the plan.

Congo: Guns Fuel World's Deadliest Conflict

A new report identifies the key sources and victims of small arms during the long conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Produced by Projet GRAM-Kivu, it urges the new government to take a leading role in the global negotiations for an Arms Trade Treaty and also to completely reform its national legislation and policies on small arms.

The Global Gun Epidemic: From Saturday Night Specials to AK-47s

The prestigious Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) published a favourable review of 'The Global Gun Epidemic', the latest book from Professors Wendy Cukier and Victor Sidel.

Bulletin «Contrôlez les armes» du Réseau national de Burundi sur les armes légères

A national network against small arms was launched in Burundi during July. The first report is available now