The Institute of Human Rights Communication Nepal (IHRICON) organized an interaction programme on the Impact of Small Arms on the Peace Process and Domestic Violence in Kathmandu joining hands with the Global Week of Action against Gun Violence today.

 

Constituent Assembly Members, Government Officials, Representatives of the security sectors – the Nepal Army and the Nepal Police, Human Rights Activists and experts participated in the gathering.

 

Two working papers were also prepared by Dr. Bishnu Upreti who is a leading expert on conflict and the peace process. His paper was titled - The Impact of the Small Arms on Peace Process and a research paper was prepared by Shobha Gautam who is a leading expert on media and Human Rights. Her paper was titled – The Role of the Media in controlling the Small Arms Proliferation. Both papers were presented by their authors at the august gathering. (See the interaction programme agenda and papers enclosed herewith)

 

Both of the papers were commented upon by Dr. Rohit Nepali who is a veteran campaigner on Human Rights and Dr. Gopal Shibagoti a leading expert on the peace process. As well as these two senior experts points were also made by CA members Government officials and other participants.

 

Mr. Rudra Nepal, the Vice-Secretary of the Foreign Ministry addressed the gathering by making serious points on Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and advising the participants of the vision of the Government. He said that "We have been clearly observing the situation and the provisions of the conventions. We will sign the ATT and we will be party to the convention and we must follow the provisions contained in the agreement". According to him the Government is positive and it is at the stage of conducting a study into the implementation of the ATT.

 

Mr. Rabindra Prasad Sharma, Superintendent of the Police produced the up to date record of the number of killings and the incidents which have occurred as a result of using a gun and small arms across the country to date. He said that "Those people who possess a gun in their homes never feel confident of their own security; they are always under the threat of the death in their lives".

 

One of the most sensitive parts of the programme was when the live stories of the victims of small arms were told. These stories told of cases where beloved family members had been killed in front of their eyes or they had shot themselves and had barely survived. Almost all the victims stated that they had been totally ignored by the Government and that they had sometimes been humiliated as their plight had yet to be recognized. Five victims had told stories which related to gun violence to the participants of the programme and they had come from Ramechhap, Lamjung and Okhaldhunga.  

 

Gun violence kills more than 350,000 people a year across the world and it also severely injures more than a million. Yet the global trade that fuels the epidemic of armed violence is not subject to international regulation.

 

This week civil society in Nepal will join more than 80 countries around the world to mark the Global Week of Action against Gun Violence. IHRICON, South Asia Peace Alliance Nepal (SAPA) and NWS Watch are calling on our national leaders to push for the strong and effective implementation of the ATT through the United Nations.  

 

153 countries voted in favour of the ATT at the UN in 2008, and discussions on the proposed treaty continue in July 2009. The focus this year is on making sure that all Governments contribute to the discussions and demand that a strong treaty is passed as a resolution.

 

Ms. Gautam, founder Coordinator SAPA Nepal said “The gun violence epidemic cannot be treated by any one country acting alone: global preventative measures are required and NEPAL has a real opportunity to influence the global human security discussions and reduce the suffering around the world.”

 

A tough and vigorous ATT would prevent arms being sold to states that are the midst of a humanitarian crisis. It would prevent arms transfers to states where they could be used for gross violations of international human rights law. A robust ATT would also consider how any arms transfers would in future affect sustainable development.

 

Rebecca Peters, Director of IANSA, said: “It is time for Governments to move away from the old narrow idea of state security, and towards a broader vision of human security. Weapons acquired for national security can be diverted or misused to increase suffering and poverty within their own country or region. An ATT will be a crucial step towards this, and Nepal support is urgently needed.”