IANSA Women's Network, formed in 2001, focuses on the connections between gender, women’s rights, small arms and armed violence and coordinates the major campaign against gun violence in the home, "Disarm Domestic Violence." The quarterly bulletin, "Women at Work: Preventing Gun Violence," contains news, analysis, resources and announcements.
|
Asia and the Pacific
From 29 - 30 March 2010, 9 ASEAN Member States, plus Japan, met in Bali, Indonesia, to discuss the implementation of the UN Programme of Action (www.poa-iss.org). The participants discussed a number of topics relationg to small arms and light weapons - such as border controls and national legislation, as well as the upcoming 4th Biennial Meeting of States (http://www.poa-iss.org/bms4/) which will be held in June 2010 in New York.
For a full summary of the meeting, please click here: http://www.poa-iss.org/poa/Documents/Bali_Meeting_Summary.pdf
Further documents are available on the website of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, based in Kathmandu, Nepal
|
Latin America and the Caribbean
From 1- 2 March 2010, 28 States of the Latin America and Caribbean region met in Lima, Peru, to discuss the implementation of the UN Programme of Action (www.poa-iss.org). The participants discussed the progress made at national and subregional levels as well as the preparations for the 4th Biennial Meeting of States (http://www.poa-iss.org/bms4/) which will be held in June 2010 in New York.
For a full summary of the meeting, please click here: http://www.poa-iss.org/poa/Documents/2010_01_03_Lima_Meeting_outcome.pdf
|
Each year activists around the world use the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence to raise awareness, campaign for better gun laws and push for stronger regulation of the global arms trade. This year the Week of Action is 10-16 May.
For more information, visit IANSA's page at http://www.iansa.org/WoA2010.htm
|
|
The Coordinating Mechanism on Small Arms and Light Weapons and Armed Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Le Cadre de Concertation sur les ALPC et la Violence Armée - CAVA) is a civil society structure created in February 2008 with the objective of facilitating the exchange of information and experiences between civil society actors working on SALW and armed violence issues in the DRC. Attached is CAVA's report on 2008 - 2009 activities, as well as the proposed programme for 2010 - 2011.
|
|
Co-operating to Disarm
February 2010 Activity Report
Joint African Union-European Union Commission- RECSA Mission
From 4th to 5th February 2010, a joint delegation from the African Union (AU), European Union Commission (EU-COM) and the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) conducted a working visit to the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, Nigeria. A meeting between the three organisations discussed issues of common interest relating to efforts to control the illicit circulation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in Africa.
The AU – EU – RECSA delegation had an in-depth working session with the ECOWAS Small Arms Division staff. The discussions focused on:
- The pan-African project on small arms funded by the EU titled “The fight against the illicit accumulation and trafficking of firearms in Africa”
- Key issues arising from the AU/Regional Economic Communities (RECs) Steering Committee on SALW
RECSA briefed the meeting about the continent-wide project and the role to be played by the different RECs and regional bodies with SALW mandate. The EU has identified RECSA to coordinate and manage the three-year project in full co-ordination and co-operation with RECs and relevant Regional Mechanisms.
During the meeting, the EU Commission noted that the pan-African project is a pilot, whose lessons will guide further projects in the future.
Implementation of the Rwanda SALW National Action Plan
Last year the Rwanda Government approved a National Action Plan on Small Arms Control and Management developed for the country with the support of RECSA.
Implementation has commenced with the training of Provincial Task Forces to build their capacity to implement the small arms strategy at the community level. The training is creating awareness among the task forces about the Nairobi Protocol, the new firearms law recently enacted in Rwanda and the role of the task forces in implementing the NAP in their regions.
RECSA at Disarmament Workshop
The Secretariat was represented at a workshop in Geneva organised by UNIDIR, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) to discuss issues of disarmament.
The meeting brought together experts on the proliferation and disarmament of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and weapons of mass destruction (WMDS). Discussions from the meeting highlighted the inter-connectedness between the two areas and the need for experts in each to work together. In addition, experts in SALW and WMD require the assistance and knowledge of the customs and immigration departments to succeed in their endeavours.
The meeting noted the low engagement of African countries on issues of WMD due to lack of information and therefore the need for more engagement between the West and Africa in this respect.
* * * * * *
Country Highlights
Burundi
The Burundi National Focal Point organised a meeting to present to donors a report on the country’s progress in the fight against the proliferation of SALW. The NFP also presented its work plan during the meeting.
RECSA was represented by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Francis SANG, at celebrations to recognise the Burundi President’s efforts to fight against the proliferation of SALW in the country. RECSA was specially invited at the event to hand over an award to the President, H. E. Pierre Nkurunziza. The award was received on behalf of the President by the Minister of Public Security, Hon. Alain Guillaume BUNYONI, also the immediate former RECSA Council of Ministers’ Chairman.
Public awareness activities were organised around the celebrations including a football match and a march in the streets of Bujumbura. The march was graced by senior Government officials and civil society; its slogan was “Marching for peaceful elections, without armed violence”.
During his visit to Burundi, Dr. Sang toured the sight where the armouries are being constructed for the Burundi Police with support from the Mine Advisory Group. The armouries will improve stockpile security in the Government.
The BNFP, in collaboration with Mine Advisory Group, destroyed 633 explosives and 42,451 pieces of ammunition in Bubanza province.
Uganda
During the month stocktaking, verification and marking of Uganda Police firearms continued in the Mobile Police Patrol Unit (MPPU). In addition, destruction of expired ammunition, explosives and ordnances from the Uganda Prisons Service was undertaken; 118 pieces of expired ordnances were destroyed at Fort Portal Police Station in Western Uganda. In Kilembe District in Western Uganda, a number of expired commercial explosives were destroyed. The NFP was also involved in programmes under the Conflict Early Warning and Early Response Programme and a number of initiatives to promote peace in the country.
|
On February 25th, 2010 the Organisation for Peace and Development, MI-RPD (Mécanisme pour l’Initiative de la Recherche de la Paix et le Développement), under the patronage of CDCPA (Disarmament Commission on small arms) and the support of RECSA (Regional Centre on Small Arms) organised a day dedicated to the fight against armed violence under the theme « For peaceful elections free from armed violence ».
The day was characterized by a march which started at the place of Independence to Prince Louis RWAGASORE stadium in the heart of Bujumbura town and a football match. The two activities were accompanied with the display of messages against armed violence, the signing of a commitment to join MI-RPD in the fight against armed violence especially during election time as well as the handing over of the honorary award to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Burundi, Pierre NKURUNZIZA, chosen as the best actor in the fight against armed violence.
The activities were organised in Bujumbura to mark the beginning of national campaign on fighting armed violence during the coming election period.
The day before, on February 24th, 2010, was marked by the arrival of the guest of honour, the Executive Secretary of the RECSA, Dr FRANCIS K. SANG, at Bujumbura International airport where he was welcomed by 20 representatives of MI-RPD members led by the MI-RPD national coordinator; Jean Claude SINZINKAYO and the national focal point representative, Bishop Leopold BANZUBAZE. MI-RPD had set journalists from the national radio and television and some private radios. In his interview the RECSA Executive Secretary told the media that the purpose of his coming to Burundi was to support Burundi as RECSA has always done. In a special way, it was to support MI-RPD in its initiative of the fight against armed violence and to bestow an award on His Excellency the president of the Republic of Burundi for the work he has done and is continuing to do to reduce the menace of illicit small arms in Burundi.
The ceremonies started with a long march whereby a big crowd marched on the rhythm of the brass band from the place of Independence to Prince Louis RWAGASORE stadium where around 2,000 people were present, including officials of the Government of the Republic of Burundi, Diplomatic corps, Representatives of civil society organisations, MI-RPD members from all the Bujumbura urban districts (communes) and the people from all over the town, attracted especially by the football match.
Among the guests who marked the ceremonies with their presence were Alain Guillaume BUNYONI, the Burundian Minister for Public Security; Dr Francis K. SANG, Executive Secretary of the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA); Misses Jeannette BUDURI General Secretary of Bujumbura town council; Bernard ONYONYI, East African Community Coordinator; Stephen SINGO MWAEHOFI International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) representative in Burundi; Julius KETHAMBA the Secretary at the Kenyan embassy in Burundi.
During the march and the football match which opposed two national teams namely INTER STAR FC and PRINCE LOUIS FC, the messages against armed violence continued to be displayed to the people. You could read among others:
- We need elections free from armed violence
- For our good, let’s banish illicit arms from our society
- Let’s mobilize ourselves to fight killings and crime from illicit arms
- We should surrender weapons and work for development
- Whoever wants peace surrenders his arm
- There is no progress when there is war
- Respect the law on SALW in BURUNDI
- Let’s come together and fight armed violence perpetrated on vulnerable people, children and women
- We should assist armed violence victims
- Let’s make BURUNDI a country free from illegally held arms
The word of welcome was pronounced by Miss Jeannette BUDURI General Secretary of Bujumbura town council. She congratulated MI-RPD which took the initiative to organise that day in Bujumbura municipality. She also appreciated the activities accomplished by the organization in the provinces where it is functional. She wished that MI-RPD operates also in Bujumbura town since according to her the activities of the organization have a positive impact on the fight against armed violence especially in the capital city where all kind of evil seems to take roots. She transmitted the mayor’s thanks towards MI-RPD in its noble task of peace consolidation and highlighted that events of such an impact are rare in Bujumbura. She encouraged the organization and other similar organizations saying that the city council will remain near every physical or moral person willing to consolidate peace in that way.
In his speech, Jean Claude SINZINKAYOm, the MI-RPD National Coordinator, thanked warmly all the guests who were present to the event. He presented a brief historic of the organization as well as its achievements since its foundation in 2005. The organization, which is composed mainly of ex combatants, worked a lot for the population awareness raising to the fight against proliferation and circulation of illicit arms in working jointly with the basic administration and multiplying contacts with the population. That has been a hard work given that FNL movement was still fighting. Nevertheless, the work has been accomplished and positive results have been recorded by the organization. Around 80,000 arms were surrendered by the civil population thanks to the action of the organization.
He pointed out the creation by the MI-RPD of an annual prize to be awarded to the best actor as far as the fight against armed violence is concerned. The purpose of that prize is to encourage each and every person to commit themselves to the fight against armed violence and work for development.
This march was organised to sensitise Burundians to avoid every kind of violence especially during the coming election period.
The 2010 prize has been awarded to His Excellency the President of the Republic of BURUNDI Pierre NKURUNZIZA. The criteria which led the comity in charge of that issue to choose His Excellency the President of the Republic of Burundi are the following:
- He was the first person to appeal to the population to surrender their illegally held arms
- He made several visits to realize the activities linked with the handing over of arms in several provinces of Burundi
- He supported financially awareness raising actions of three organizations which involved themselves more in the fight against proliferation and circulation of SALW and disarmament namely CEDAC in MURAMVYA, MI-RPD in GITEGA and ADPD in BURURI.
- The evangelical crusades organised every year by the presidential family and animated by various preachers helped the population to receive peace messages, favouring thus disarmament of the spirit. The outcome has been that the civilians committed themselves to willingly surrender their arms.
- He facilitated the revision of the legislation on SALW in Burundi
The MI-RPD coordinator highlighted that the organisation has no prize to award to his Excellency for all he has done in the field of fighting armed violence. It is only a sign of gratitude on behalf of the national as well as the international community which acclaim his initiative.
He finally thanked the guests, especially the Secretary Executive of RECSA, Dr K. SANG, for the support the RECSA has granted to MI-RPD in order to carry out the activities related to the day and the East African Community Coordinator and the other personalities who were present at the ceremonies. His thanks were directed in a special way to the Minister of Public Security for his support of the action.
He finished in presenting the award which was received by the Minister for Public Security, Alain Guillaume BUNYONI, on the behalf of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Burundi. He presented as well a commitment book which was signed by the representatives committing themselves to join MI-RPD in the fight against armed violence especially during the coming election period. The following is the list of those who signed in the book:
1. Alain Guillaume BUNYONI, Minister for the Public Security,
2. Dr. FRANCIS K. SANG, Executive Secretary of the RECSA,
3. SINGO STEPHEN MWAEHOFI, representative of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region
4. Jeannette BUDURI, General Secretary of Bujumbura city council,
5. Leonard OYONYI, East African Community Coordinator
6. Julius KETHAMBA, the Secretary at the Kenyan embassy in Burundi.
7. NDABANEZE Zénon, National point focal,
8. Joseph NKUNZIMANA, General Director of ex Combatants in the Ministry of Defence and ex combatants,
9. Aimable NZOYISENGA, representative of CEDAC,
10. Ficard NDAYIMIRIJE, representative of RAPACODIBU,
11. Charles KATIHABWA, representative of AMINA,
12. Cyriaque NIZIGIYIMANA, representative of ITEKA League
13. Evariste SINAMUTOYE, member of CDCPA,
14. Jeremy MANIRAKIZA, representative of the Burundi Football Federation (FFB),
15. PORONA, representative of MRCI,
16. Albert KAYE, Editor in the « HOJA » magazine
17. Dieudonné NGOWEMBONA, representative of INTER STAR
The speech which followed was pronounced by the Burundian National Focal Point on small arms. For him, as Burundi has recovered peace, there is no more reason for Burundians to keep firearms in their homes. That is the reason why the government has appealed to the people who are in possession of small arms to surrender them willingly. It is in that line that the national commission on small arms as set up for the best organisation of that work.
Since the commission was set up, a lot of firearms have been surrendered by the civil population with the implication of Civil Society Organisations like MI-RPD in the awareness raising on the fight against armed violence.
He asked those organisations to keep on and to go even further during the coming election period.
He thanked all national and international organisations as well as countries that support the commission’s actions in a way or another.
As for the RECSA Secretary Executive Dr. FRANCIS K. SANG, he thanked the government of the Republic of BURUNDI for the invitation and considered it as a great honour to be present during the occasion to bestow an award on His Excellency for his action against armed violence in Burundi. He then saluted Burundi’s efforts in the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol on the prevention, control and Reduction of Small arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa and Bordering States. He congratulated the government of Burundi for it is among the first to revise its small arms legislation and for the fact that the disarmament programme was an immense success. He showed that RECSA supported the sensitisation programme in providing bicycles for the officials undertaking awareness raising activities in all the provinces of Burundi. He finally expressed RECSA’s pleasure to be associated with the success in Burundi in the ongoing war against the illegal possession of firearms.
After his speech he proceeded to the handing over of the prize to the best actor in the fight against armed violence awarded to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Burundi by MI-RPD. That prize was entrusted to the Minister of Public Security Alain Guillaume BUNYONI representing the President of the Republic who had not been able to participate to the activities.
After receiving the presidential prize the Minister of Public Security Alain Guillaume BUNYONI delivered the circumstance speech on the behalf of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Burundi.
He acknowledged that illicit small arms in Burundi is a reality and presented what has been done by the government to reduce them. Between others, signing of the Nairobi Protocol, the set up of a national commission on disarmament, the revision of small arms legislation and the gathering of firearms illegally held by the population are the achievements of the Burundi government.
He thanked the all the people and organisations that helped in the actions of awareness raising to voluntary surrendering of arms and asked them to continue working together with the forces of security and the commission.
He finally thanked for the award, saying that it is a symbol that Burundians support good programmes that are achieved in the country.
All in all the February 25th, 2010 activities marked a new start for MI-RPD, given that such a demonstration will be organised every year to award the best actor in the fight against armed violence. That kind of efforts will be multiplied until the whole country enjoys the advantages of a peaceful country. MI-RPD will act throughout the whole country to attain its objectives. Every person, physical or moral wishing to work for peace is called upon to bring forth his contribution.
As far as it is concerned, MI-RPD, supported by its collaborators, its partners and the government will continue its work until Burundi becomes the Eden Garden where every kind of violence is banished and the population lives in total security
After the day activities had been concluded, the President of the Republic requested that the award be presented to him by the MI-RPD representatives themselves. It is in that line that on March 01st, 2010, Jean Claude SINZINKAYO, MI-RPD national coordinator and Joseph BUKUBIYE, MI-RPD principal technical advisor together with Alain Guillaume BUNYONI, Minister for Public Security of the Republic of Burundi and Zeno NDABANEZE, Burundian National Focal Point on small arms presented the award to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Burundi at the state house.
In his speech, the MI-RPD national coordinator thanked His Excellency the President of the Republic of Burundi for accepting the award and in a special way for investing himself in the fight against armed violence. He said that it was an honour for the organisation that he accepted to receive the award. He then presented briefly the reasons why the organisation chose to award to his person the 2010 prize of the best actor in the fight against armed violence which will be awarded yearly to the best actor:
1. He was the first person to appeal to the population to surrender their illegally held arms
2. He made several visits to realize the activities linked with the handing over of arms in several provinces of Burundi
3. He supported financially three organizations which involved themselves more in the fight against proliferation and circulation of SALW and disarmament namely CEDAC in MURAMVYA, MI-RPD in GITEGA and ADPD in BURURI.
4. The evangelical crusades organised every year by the presidential family and animated by various preachers helped the population to receive peace messages, favouring thus disarmament of the spirits. The outcome has been that the civilians committed themselves to willingly surrender their arms.
5. His government revised the small arms legislation
He concluded saying that the award has been just a symbol given on behalf of the people of Burundi who appreciate his work in fighting armed violence.
His Excellency the President of the Republic thanked all the organisations which took the initiative of removing arms from the population. He specially thanked MI-RPD for having chosen him as the best actor in that domain and award him a prize. He appreciated the award and said that it was not the first for him and then encouraged other Burundians to work so that they may receive a prise. He encouraged all the organisations working in the field of small arms to keep on sensitizing the population. He appealed to the people who still hold arms illegally to surrender them. He even promised that for the people who would surrender them willingly, the penalty could be lightened.
Recommendations
MI-RPD put forward the following recommendations
To the government
All the arms should be marked for easy identification and easy recognition of the owners of the arms that would have been used, especially during election period.
To the media
To multiply conscious raising emissions since their voice goes further than any other.
To the political parties
To stop all speeches that can call Burundian people to violence especially during the coming election period.
To religious leaders
Church leaders should prepare their members to head to a peaceful participation to the coming elections
For more information, please contact :
Jean Claude SINZINKAYO
Coordinateur National du MI-RPD
Quartier SHATANYA II
AV. PL.RWAGASORE
BP 347 GITEGA
Tel: +22 40 44 19
Mob: +257 79 934 903
E-mail mirpd(a)yahoo.com
sinkayo_john_cla(a)yahoo.fr
|
SALW Trends and News is updated on a daily basis. Recent articles issued in the past 1 month are posted in this topic. In addition, please go to the topic entitled “2010 by subregion”, in which all the articles are sorted by subregion.
The SALW Trends and News is a compilation of articles related to small arms and light weapons. The Small Arms Advisory Network is not liable for the accuracy of information included in this SALW Trends & News.
|
Guidelines for gender mainstreaming for the effective implementation of the UN programme of action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects (UN CASA, 2006)
|
South Africa: Gun control
Last-minute rush to renew gun licences
Thousands of people swamped Pretoria's police stations in a desperate last-minute attempt to renew their firearms licences. Since the start of the firearms licence renewal process in 2005, 620 000 applications have been processed across South Africa. According to police, the number is believed to rise to more than 700 000 as those who left their applications until Tuesday - the cut-off period - dash to firearm registration centres set up at police stations across the country. The sudden rush has sparked fears that those who do not make the midnight cut-off time on Tuesday night will begin to dump their weapons and ammunition to avoid prosecution. This comes after police from the Gauteng Rapid Response Unit found hundreds of rounds of ammunition dumped in the Apies River at the weekend.
http://www.independentonsaturday.co.za/?fSectionId=&fArticleId=vn20090331052758201C151086
Date: 31 March 2009, Source: The Independent
|
|
