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

Belgium: Open letter urging government to support strong ATT
International trade controls

Africa Europe Faith & Justice Network, IANSA member in Belgium, decided to focus this week on the Arms Trade Treaty. The organisation is writing an open letter, which will be shared with all the national members of the network, so that they can diffuse it to their governments to advocate in favour of the ATT. 

DR Congo: IANSA Women march against gun violence in Eastern DRC
International trade controls, Women, gender and guns

IANSA Women in the DRC Femmes des Médias pour la Justice au Congo (FMJC), are undertaking a range of activities this week. After having put up large banners with key messages on main streets, they broadcast advertisements and organised a march against the negative consequences of armed violence in Eastern DRC. They also met Congolese officials to encourage them to adopt the law on SALW in DR Congo and to ratify the Kinshasa Convention, and organised a workshop on the content of the ATT and the review of the PoA.

Chad: Youth activities on gun violence in schools
Armed violence and development, Children and armed violence, International trade controls

REPPACT (the Network for the Promotion of Peace and Citizenship), IANSA member in Chad, led awareness-raising activities with youth in schools. They highlighted the role of youth in peace-building and drew their attention to the need to regulate the trade and stop the illicit trafficking of small arms. Members have met local authorities and representatives of the Ministry of Security to emphasise the need for Chad to support a strong ATT in July, and to sign and ratify it once it has been negotiated.

Spain: Catalan Parliament makes public its full support to the ATT
International trade controls

Following active lobbying by the Fundacion Per la Pau, IANSA member in Spain, the Catalan Parliament has released a declaration where all the parliamentary groups expressed their support for a global ATT to regulate the arms trade.

Australia: Article on guns, sports and masculinity
Women, gender and guns

Jocelynne Scut, IANSA Women’s Network supporter, wrote an article entitled 'Is the Problem Facebook? Guns, Sport and the Macho Mentality', on the current debate in Australia surrounding two Olympic swimmers who put images of themselves in a Californian gun shop up on facebook and twitter. The article references IANSA and our campaigns. It is available here.

Latest resources

Resources on guns and domestic violence
Women, gender and guns

The National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women in the US has compiled several factsheets and reports on firearms as a “High Lethality Risk Factor” in domestic violence on their website.

Key elements for implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
International trade controls

Amnesty International has compiled this short paper outlining key elements for implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

Arms Trade Treaty Preparatory Committee, Summary Report of Industry Side Event 14 July 2011
International trade controls

Summary report of the 14 July side event 'European Defence Industry Perspectives on the ATT', organised by ASD: Aerospace and Defence and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the Arms Trade Treaty Preparatory Committee, 11-15 July 2011.

Arms Trade Treaty Preparatory Committee, Summary Report of Side Event 14 July 2011
International trade controls

Summary report of the 14 July side event 'Looking Back to Move Forward: experiences from implementing arms transfers policies for an Arms Trade Treaty', co-organized by IKV Pax Christi and Groupe de recherche et d'information sur la paix et la sécurité (GRIP) during the Arms Trade Treaty Preparatory Committee, 11-15 July 2011.

ATT PrepCom Summary Report, Plenary Session: Morning - 14 July 2011
International trade controls

Summary report of the main points of the morning plenary session of the fourth day of the Arms Trade Treaty Preparatory Committee, 11-15 July 2011.