Work areas

The problem of small arms proliferation is multidimensional– that is why such a broad array of organisations around the world are so concerned about it. On this page you will find the latest news and resources on some of the hot topics for groups working against small arms and light weapons.

Latest news

Mexico: Conference on the international regulation of the arms trade from the perspective of survivors
Armed violence and development, Survivors

In Mexico, the IANSA Survivors Network, along with its Mexican partners, is organising a conference on “The International Regulation of the Arms Trade: The Perspective of the Victims of Armed Violence”. Roberto Dondisch, the head of the Mexican delegation to the Arms Trade Treaty Diplomatic Conference will be a keynote speaker and the Norwegian Embassy will be a guest of honor.

Amnesty International: Film screenings on the effects of the arms trade in Poland
International trade controls

In Lublin, Poland, the local Amnesty group is organising workshops on arms control and the ATT and screening two films: 'Eyes and Ears of God', about the atrocities in Sudan and 'Sri Lanka's Killing Fields', both demonstrating the effects of the arms trade in conflict zones.

Amnesty International: Activism at international arms sales exhibition in Paris
International trade controls

In Paris, Amnesty France and partners organised a successful event in front of Eurosatory, an international security and defence exhibition displaying a wide range of arms for sale, including small arms and light weapons. Pictures are available here.The President of Amnesty France wrote an article on the international arms sales exhibition and the ATT in the French magazine Le Nouvel Observateur.

Amnesty International: Children share stories of gun violence in Mexico
International trade controls

In the lead up of the G-20 summit in Los Cabos, next week, Amnesty International Mexico is participating in a national contest co-organised by Save the Children and the G-20 presidency (Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs). The children of AI Mexico staff members recorded messages about real cases of armed violence in Mexico and asking the G-20 for strong controls on the arms trade. The stories most “liked” in the contest will be taken to the negotiations.

Amnesty International: Guerrilla marketing campaign in Australia
International trade controls

Amnesty International Australia are doing a guerrilla marketing campaign using bloodied bullet hole imagery stickers in public spaces, such as bus stop ads, train station poster ads and toilet door signs, in order to catch the attention of passers-by. The aim is to make the public curious and go online to sign onto the Global Appeal.

Latest resources

SIPRI Yearbook for 2011
International trade controls, Marking and tracing

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Yearbook for 2011 is now out.

WHO courses on violence and injury prevention
Women, gender and guns

The World Health Organisation has released a new series of short courses on violence and injury prevention, including on intimate partner and sexual violence prevention.

UN Secretary-General report on children and armed conflict
Children and armed violence
The UN Secretary-General has released his annual report on ‘Children and Armed Conflict’ for 2010.
Implementation Plan for the Kinshasa Convention on Small Arms Control
Regional Cooperation

The Implementation Plan for the 'Central African Convention for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and All Parts and Components That Can Be Used for Their Manufacture, Repair and Assembly', known as the Kinshasa Convention,  was drafted by the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) and adopted by state parties to the convention in November 2010. 

The Kinshasa Convention on Small Arms Control
Regional Cooperation

The 'Central African Convention for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition, Parts and Components that can be used for their Manufacture, Repair and Assembly', known as the Kinshasa Convention, was signed on 19 November