Small Arms and light weapons
continually inflict violence on millions of men, women and children. Though arms
have legitimate use under the international law this does not mean it is
unlimited. Uncontrolled proliferation of arms exacerbate human suffering and
threaten development. It brings down the opportunity to reconstruct
post-conflict and post-war societies and to address the impact of war and
violence on communities. A challenge to all governments and civil society
organizations to be responsible for the budding problem of arms especially when
human rights and international humanitarian law are upheld and in making
communities safer from armed violence.
Small Arms and Light Weapons
“Small Arms and Light Weapons”
refer to weapons that can be carried by a single person, either for military or
civilian use. It is often abbreviated to “small arms” or “SALW”. It covers a
wide range of weapons – from pistols, machine guns and other firearms, to
grenades, portable anti-tank systems and mortars.
About PhilANSA
The Philippine Action Network
on Small Arms (PhilANSA) is a loose network of peace organizations and
advocates. It was convened prior to the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in
Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspect in July 2001.
PhilANSA is now composed of
14 organizations/networks across the country. These are organizations/networks
working on different areas/issues (i.e. peace, human rights, public health,
children, demobilization, reintegration, relief and rehab, etc).
PhilANSA is an active member
of the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) that supports the
efforts of organizations working to prevent the spread and misuse of small arms.
Goal
It is the thrust of the
network to contribute in addressing the complex issue of weapons in society and
coordinate efforts and/or support initiatives that address the issue.
Specifically:
· on the demand and supply
side of weapons;
· the misuse and proliferation
of arms;
· the impact of weapons in
society;
· the impact of weapons in the
development programs in communities, and;
· the protection of
communities;
Intervention Points
· Advocate enforcement of gun
existing gun control laws
· Media Campaign
- promote SA & LW concerns
- promote media sensitivity vs
culture of violence/for culture of peace
· International lobby to
address supply-side issues
· Support peace processes
(with MILF & NDF); introduce amendments & monitor implementation of GRP-RPA
agreement
· Research
- Explore/research alternative
methods of conflict resolution
- Continue community-based
research on supply-demand-impact of SA&LW
· Promote Culture of Peace
- thru community-based
programs (e.g., inter-faith dialogues, ban toy gun campaign)
- integrate SA&LW concerns in
peace education programs
· Facilitate giving voice/face
to affected communities
PhilANSA Member Organizations
PhilANSA is governed by a
steering committee, the highest decision-making body, composed of all the
founding member organizations. PhilANSA operates on a voluntary and
activity-based commitments and services from its member organizations/networks.
Currently, Center for Peace Education - Miriam College (CPE) acts as the secretariat of
the network.
· Al-Mujadilah Development
Foundation, Inc. (Marawi City) (AMDF)
· Amnesty International –
Philippines (AI-Philippines)
· Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC)
· Cordillera Peace Forum
· Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace
Institute (GZOPI)
· Medical Action Group –
Philippines/International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War –
Philippines
· Pax Christi - Philippines
· Peace Advocates Zamboanga
(PAZ)
· Peace Education Network
(PEN)
· Pikit Parish, North Cotabato
· Third World Studies Center (TWSC)
· United Youth of the
Philippines (UNYPHIL)
ACTIVITIES
Public Education and Awareness
Campaign
PhilANSA worked on its
one-year project entitled “Public Education and Awareness Campaign to Generate
Community responses on the Issue of Small Arms and Light weapons.” The project
aimed to confront and challenge the prevailing apathy of the public on the issue
of small arms and light weapons in the community by generating community
responses on the issue.
Advocacy and Networking
PhilANSA supports the
international campaign launched by Oxfam, Amnesty International and the
International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) calling for effective arms
control to make people genuinely safer from the threat of armed violence.
The Regional Action to Reduce
Armed Violence (RARAV) are concerned with the impact of weapons and armed
violence in Southeast Asian society. PhilANSA together with other
nongovernmental organizations is committed to undertake cooperative action
through RARAV to address the issues related to militarization, culture of
violence, weapons and human trafficking, human rights violations and the impact
of arms trade, as ways to reduce armed violence in the region.
Research
Gender and Small Arms research
Regional Research on Small
Arms (Western Visayas, Central Mindanao)
Database Building and
Monitoring
Community Work
Convenors:
Amnesty International –
Pilipinas
Center for Peace Education – Miriam College
Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace
Institute
Pax Christi Pilipinas
