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

Togo: Civil society pushes for strong African SALW strategy and Common Position on ATT
International trade controls, Regional Cooperation

From 26-30 September, member states of the African Union are meeting in Lomé, Togo to consider a draft SALW control strategy, and elaborate an African Common Position on the ATT for the negotiating conference in 2012.

Trinidad and Tobago: Police begin electronic tracing of guns
Marking and tracing

Police in Trinidad and Tobago have begun electronic tracing of guns in the country, in partnership with the UN Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UN-LiREC).

Colombia: Largest ever gun destruction on International Day of Peace
Weapons collection and destruction

Centro de Recursos para el Análisis de Conflictos (CERAC), an IANSA member in Colombia, reports that the largest ever gun destruction in the country took place in the city of Sogamoso on the International Day of Peace, 21 September.

Belgium: National Peace Week focuses on Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
International trade controls

From the International Day of Peace on 21 September until 2 October, activists across Belgium including IANSA members Pax Christi Vlaanderen will mark Belgian National Peace Week.

The impact of small arms on gender in Nepal
Women, gender and guns

An article by IANSA woman Shobha Gautam of the Institute of Human Rights Communication Nepal (IHRICON) and National Women Security Watch (NWS) focuses on the impact of small arms on gender in Nepal.

Latest resources

Gender, Peace and Security Update from PRIO
Women, gender and guns
The first ‘Gender, Peace and Security Update (GPS)’ for 2012 from the Peace Research Institute Oslo, features PRIO researcher and Deputy Director Inger Skjelsbæk’s new book ‘The Psychology of War Rape: Studies from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the launch of the US Peace Research Endowment'.
NGO Presentations at the PoA PrepCom, 21 March 2012
UN Small Arms Process

Representatives of civil society spoke in the afternoon plenary session of the preparatory committee (PrepCom) for the 2012 Review Conference (RevCon) on 21 March 2012.

The importance of international cooperation and assistance to improve stockpile management in Africa
Stockpile management and security, UN Small Arms Process

This article was written by Félix Kokou Aklavon, member of the International Advisory Council (IAC) and the Togolese Action Network on Small Arms (RASALT) for the Small Arms Monitor during the preparatory committee for the 2012 Review Conference on the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms (PoA).

The Arms Flyers: Commercial Aviation, Human Rights, and the Business of War and Arms
International trade controls

The report presents (Part I and Part II) a series of cases - from the 1980s to present - that illustrate and document the continuous involvement of aviation companies in the business of war, namely in the arms supply chains and also in covert operations, all of which have often resulted in consequent severe violations of human rights, from Nicaragua to Armenia, from D.R. Congo to Afghanistan and Rwanda.

What should the UN Programme of Action PrepCom 2012 Achieve?
UN Small Arms Process

The purpose of the PrepCom is to lay the groundwork for the RevCon, 27 August – 7 September 2012. The PrepCom is expected to produce a draft agenda for the RevCon i.e. which solutions to the problem of gun violence are open for discussion.