Victims of Small Arms

Small Arms & Light Weapons: A challenge to the churches

victims of small arms
International concern has been influenced by the unnecessary human sacrifice that results from the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the context of conflict, war and urban violence. Additionally, the unprecedented and uncontrolled availability of small arms and light weapons constitutes an obstacle to development and jeopardizes community security.

The human costs of armed conflict
"Armed conflict has killed 2 million children, disabled 4 to 5 million, and left 12 million homeless, more than 1 million orphaned or separated from their parents and some 10 million psychologically traumatized." UN Development Programme 1998 Human Development Report

The use of children in armed conflict
"The involvement of children in armed conflicts violates fundamental humanitarian principles, exposes them to the risk of death and injury, threatens their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, and draws them into a culture of violence." WCC Harare Assembly statement on Child Soldiers

Peace-building in the context of urban violence
"The Peace to the City Network (PCN) is a global grassroots network of churches, peace and justice organizations, faith communities and civil society movements in cities around the world, engaged in local initiatives to overcome urban, political, ethnic and religious violence." PCN web site

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