Norway and Denmark join Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence

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

Next week civil society in Norway and Denmark will join 70 countries around the world to mark the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence. Defend International is calling on our national leaders to push for a strong and effective Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) through the United Nations.

The focus this year is on Members of Parliament, the elected representatives of the people, who are in a powerful position to influence public policy. NGOs are inviting parliamentarians and media representatives to participate in the event which is hosted by Youth for Human Rights Denmark:


Where: Vesterbrogade 22, St. Th, 1620 Copenhagen W, Denmark
When: 5 June 2008, on Danes Constitution day, @ 11 - 14
Link: http://www.defendinternational.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=200&Itemid=73

Widad Akrawi, President of Defend International, said “The gun violence epidemic cannot be treated by any one country acting alone: a global preventative measure is needed. Norway and Denmark has a real opportunity to influence global human security and stem the tide of blood.”

A tough ATT would prevent arms being transferred to states in 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 transfer would 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. Norway’s and Denmark’s support is urgently needed for the development of an ATT.”

For further information, please contact: DI Media Committee, [email protected]

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