Small Arms and Light Weapons
Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)
“Without peace there will be no development. As religious leaders, we commit ourselves to continue the work that has been started by other stakeholders. To collaborate, communicate and cooperate with them to address the menace and miseries brought about by SALW and landmines.”
-from the Final Communiqué of the Religious Leaders’ Conference on Conventional Weapons: Small Arms and Landmines 16-18 June 2009
The proliferation and misuse of small arms is a worldwide, progressively complex and multifaceted phenomenon that touches people of all religions. By virtue of their easy availability, low-cost and manageability, small arms and light weapons (SALW) have become the weapons of choice in most conflicts in the world today. These weapons are the leading contributors to the escalation of a culture of violence and to the militarization of civil society. More than 1,000 lives are lost each day to small arms violence.
Faith communities are often in a position to play an important role in combating the proliferation and effects of small arms and light weapons. Sometimes they are on the front lines of local efforts and other times, are conducting high-level advocacy on the subject. By virtue of their close proximity to the populace, and because they are looked upon as the source of spiritual wellbeing and sustenance, they play a different and more readily acceptable role in comparison to the administrative role played by law enforcement agencies and governments. Churches, mosques and other places of worship have often been used as arms collection sites. They have put in place development projects that address poverty-reduction that as such, reduce the demand for small arms. Faith communities tend to the victims of gun violence by providing much needed medical care and support and reach out to the perpetrators through rehabilitation and reintegration.
Please view our new resource guide on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Africa CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Our Committment in Action
- From June 16-18 2009, religious leaders and representatives of faith-based organizations from across the Greater Horn of Africa came together in a 3 day meeting in Nairobi. They discussed the impact of small arms and light weapons on their region and what could be their role in transforming this impact. Read the report and Final Communiqué below.
- In May 2009, Religions for Peace participated in a regional meeting on arms trade in Bogota, Colombia. Read the report and meeting declaration below.
- During the 3rd Biennial Meeting of States to Consider Implementation of the Programme of Action on Small Arms in July 2008, Religions for Peace hosted a side event about the importance of religious advocacy in addressing the proliferation of SALW. Read the report below.
