A family walks along the ➜ edge of a river island. Life is hazardous and uncertain as flooding and erosion are common. G.M.B. Akash / Panos

elcome to this edition of Update with a special focus on our work in , Wa region including countries experiencing violent conflict and insecurity. Saferworld has programmes in , and Sri Lanka with staff based in each country. We also support a civil society capacity building programme in . This newsletter highlights some of the work we do. asia special NOVEMBER 2008 NOVEMBER issn0967-7100

Improving security in Bangladesh

angladesh has a recent history One major concern was security needs. In Kamrangir Char, for free from conflict, but insecurity children’s security… parents are example, one of the major concerns is still a large concern for its forced to stay at home to protect local people identified was children’s Bpopulation. In late 2006 and early 2007, security. Sexual harassment and political conflict in the run-up to their children and therefore kidnapping were prevalent and, as well elections resulted in violence erupting unable to work and provide for as being traumatic in themselves, were in urban areas across Bangladesh. This their families. having a serious impact on people’s year, thousands of garment workers in livelihoods as many parents felt unable Dhaka protested against spiralling food Through our previous work on to go to work and leave their children prices. Demonstrators clashed with community-based policing in and at home unprotected. police after smashing cars and shops. promoting community safety in South We supported the creation of a The army was brought in to bring the Eastern , we have learnt that community safety committee in situation under control, and the police community initiatives can help address Kamrangir Char, made up of local opened fire to disperse the striking these local insecurities whilst also people, which drew up an action plan to workers. improving the public’s relationship with address children’s safety. A community Saferworld undertook research to those who provide their security, such as managed Child Safety Centre has now try and understand how insecurity the police. Drawing on this experience, been established where local children affects everyday life in Bangladesh Saferworld worked with local partners, can stay in a secure environment while and to explore the linkages between the Bangladesh Rural Advancement their parents are at work. Fifteen development and security. We found Committee (BRAC) and ChangeMaker, families are now benefiting from the that Bangladeshis are worried about to design and test two community centre and its popularity has led to a their livelihoods, health, food and the safety projects in Bangladesh: in demand for other community safety environment. Other factors including Kamrangir Char, one of the largest slums initiatives. A similar community centred threats to personal safety, drug and in Dhaka, and in a rural village called approach has been adopted in Hajirgol, alcohol abuse, security of land tenure Hajirgol, roughly 150km outside Dhaka. where gambling and sexual harassment and the country’s political situation The projects have helped communities were the two top security concerns. are also significant concerns. identify and address their most pressing Continued on page 2 ➜

in update 48… Small arms in Bangladesh • Raising civil society voices on security sector reform in Nepal • Small arms in Sri Lanka Ballot without Bullet • Support us December 2008 elections

Spiralling costs for basic commodities such as rice and petrol, combined with the “During the flood in 2007, my increasing frequency and strength of natural disasters like flooding are already daughter came down with a affecting people’s perceptions of security. The forthcoming elections, scheduled fever and it cost me ten times for mid-December, are likely to add to existing insecurities and may cause an upsurge in violence. The potential for post-election violence is high; security the standard price to transport providers and others need to be prepared for this possibility in a co-ordinated her to a doctor.” manner, not simply react when it happens. Civil society has a role to play in Participant, focus group discussion, sharing information of community security concerns and suggesting ways to Sirajgang District tackle these in an informed, inclusive way, as well as campaigning against election violence amongst the general public. Download Human security in Bangladesh from our website: www.saferworld.org.uk/publications.php/323/human_security_in_bangladesh

➜ We are continuing to follow progress in natural disasters long known to the destinations, the resulting conflict the pilot sites and may create a new site people of Bangladesh. For example, between communities is spilling over to pilot a community-based policing more severe floods have meant that into violence. approach. Eventually we hope to communities have found it harder to The UN Framework Convention on develop a model that can be scaled up save their cattle from drowning, Climate Change has launched ‘National for wider use across Bangladesh. increased cyclone activity has destroyed Adaptation Programmes of Action’ fishing equipment and roads, and the (NAPA) to help developing countries Climate change and conflict silting of arable land has reduced adapt to the impacts of climate change There has been increasing concern farmers’ ability to grow crops to eat or and identify and address individual about the effect climate change has on sell. People in Bangladesh are used to countries’ needs. However, surprisingly security. Bangladesh is at real risk. these kinds of challenges and have the NAPA for Bangladesh does not Half of its total landmass is less than developed a whole range of ways to mention the prospect of large-scale two metres above sea level and its deal with them. However, as climate migration, or the socio-political geographical position makes the change looks set to make natural problems that would accompany likely country particularly vulnerable to disasters progressively worse, estab- tensions between local and migrant cyclones, river and coastal flooding and lished ways of coping are coming under communities. rising sea levels. Climate change has increasing strain with the potential for It is important that measures taken been found to worsen the frequency this to cause conflict in the future. to address the effects of climate change and intensity of these naturally in Bangladesh are designed to be occurring hazards. Our research on More severe floods have meant sensitive to conflict so that they do not human security showed that people are that communities have found it inadvertently aggravate tensions or worried about the effects of environ- inflame conflicts. For a country such as mental change on their livelihoods, so it harder to save their cattle from Bangladesh, with relatively weak is crucial to look at what impact climate drowning, increased cyclone governance, the local conflicts that may change and the strategies developed to activity has destroyed fishing result from badly managed migration address it might have. equipment and roads, and the could also have the potential to create However, there is very little research more widespread instability. on the security implications of climate silting of arable land has reduced We will publish our research on change. To help address this gap and farmers’ ability to grow crops. climate change later this year. But more find out more about the relationship analysis is needed. It is crucial to better between climate change, security and Our research showed that some of the understand how natural hazards are conflict, Saferworld and partners, the most serious impacts may relate to affecting the security of people’s Bangladesh Institute of International migration. Although seasonal livelihoods and encouraging migration. and Strategic Studies (BIISS), held focus migration is a well established trend in This would show patterns of potential group discussions with local communi- Bangladesh, the increasing frequency migration and help to identify likely ties and interviewed journalists, and severity of natural disasters has led security and conflict impacts that could politicians, government officials, police, to many more people migrating away be addressed through effective early civil society members and academics. permanently from affected areas. warning and conflict prevention We found that climate change As competition over land and resources strategies and action. appears to be heightening the effects of increases in popular migratory

2 SAFERWORLD UPDATE · NOVEMBER 2008 ➜ Cox’s Bazar is a major sea route for the transhipment of weapons by international smugglers. Chamila Hemmathagama, Saferworld

Pakistan

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r

ma

India n a Small arms in Bangladesh My

he proliferation of small arms Working with government officials Engaging with civil society is a major concern in Bangladesh, Earlier this year Saferworld and partner Saferworld has been working with the despite the country enjoying BIISS brought together members of the National Forum for Peace and Security Trelative stability. Rather than fuelling Caretaker Government and officials (NFPS) for a number of years on small war and insurgency, the influx of from the Bangladesh security agencies arms issues. Awareness raising and weapons has exaggerated clashes to discuss the small arms issue. It was a research with, and building the capacity between criminal organisations and crucial opportunity to raise the need to of, NFPS and its member organisations among rival political parties. They have develop effective preventive policies to has been an important element of that become the preferred tools for control illicit small arms proliferation work. Saferworld and NFPS, along with protection, extortion and intimidation. and misuse in Bangladesh. The officials Massline Media Centre, have also been looked at how best to work in co- engaged in developing capacity of Instead of fuelling war and ordination to overcome problems journalists to report accurately on insurgency, the influx of related to small arms which has led to security issues and to increase the discussions about establishing a coverage of the issue in local media. weapons has exaggerated national co-ordinating body.Sri The partners have held training work- clashes between criminal Lanka shops on the threat to security from organisations and among rival As South Asian drug-, human- small arms in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, political parties. and weapons-trafficking Rajshahi and Khulna. The journalist training workshops were reported networks pass their goods widely in the Bangla media. As a result As our work on human security in through Bangladesh, this poses of the trainings, the journalists have Bangladesh has shown, armed violence a complex challenge for the formed ‘Journalists for Peace and is a real concern to communities. authorities. Security’, a group seeking to take a The long porous borders with Burma/ proactive role in reporting on peace and India’s North East, and security issues in Bangladesh. together with Bangladesh’s poorly Saferworld and BIISS have also been policed and controlled sea ports make discussing how Bangladesh can learn it an ideal conduit for trafficking. from other countries implementing Cox’s Bazar is a major sea route for the the UN Programme of Action on Small transhipment of weapons by inter­ Arms. While these best practices are national smugglers. Unchecked useful for Bangladeshi policymakers, incidents of smuggling and ineffectual Bangladesh faces some serious government action have enabled small challenges, such as securing regional arms and improvised explosive devices co-operation to address trafficking of to become an acceptable and afford- weapons through Bangladesh and able part of life. As South Asian drug-, developing policy without the human- and weapons-trafficking availability of reliable and detailed Journalists at a workshop on small arms networks pass their goods through data on small arms. in Dhaka held exclusively for female Bangladesh, the authorities face a journalists. complex challenge. Md Touhidul Islam, saferworld

SAFERWORLD UPDATE · NOVEMBER 2008 3 ➜ Nepal police shields and helmets. sarah dalrymple, saferworld

Raising civil society voices on security sector reform in Nepal

The political development of the state of Nepal has been marred by continual instability. Fighting between the Maoists and the Government during the recent conflict has taken a heavy toll on Nepal, as both the rebels and counter-insurgency forces undermined stability and violated human rights. Prior to the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement at the end of 2006, the conflict had resulted in the deaths of 13,000 people and the internal displacement of up to 200,000 others. Following Constituent Assembly elections in April 2008, a new Government has been formed, headed by the Maoists, and the monarchy has been abolished. But concrete action on security issues has yet to be implemented.

The Nepali Comprehensive Peace everyone, and are particularly crucial The Antenna Foundation holds a radio Agreement marks the beginning of the as part of the recovery process for discussion programme with the police. transition to peace. There are a number countries coming out of violent conflict. baglung fm of security issues that need to be Following the end of the conflict, addressed during this time such as the Nepal’s security sector is in need of a decision making in this area for many integration of the Maoist People’s serious overhaul, but little is known years. Saferworld is working to build Liberation Army into the Nepal Army about the most pressing priorities for people’s confidence to voice their needs and other security institutions, reform. and contribute to high level policy the disarmament, demobilisation and Civil society has an important role to discussions and decisions that will affect reintegration of ex-combatants from play during this transitional phase. their security. both parties to the conflict, and broader The voices of communities need to be security concerns such as improving law heard so that their security needs and Working with the media enforcement and security provision. concerns are considered as part of the The Antenna Foundation is an This work is crucial. In 2005 it was reform of the security sector. However, independent NGO that uses radio and reported that Nepal was ranked as it is difficult for civil society to have a television to raise awareness on key having the highest number of say in this debate as the general public social issues in Nepal. We have been ‘disappearances’ by security forces in tends not to know a great deal about working with them and held radio the world. Effective security services the sector and its institutions, a discussions on security issues such as and access to justice are important for consequence of being excluded from the future of the Nepal Army, policing and the inclusion of minorities in the What is security sector reform? security sector. It has been an important way of ensuring that the public is better There are many institutions that make up a country’s security sector including informed about the issues affecting the armed forces, police and customs officials, the judiciary; oversight bodies security provision and authorities’ plans such as parliamentary committees; and ‘non-statutory security forces’ which to address them. include everything from guerrilla armies to local militias and private security The programmes were broadcast in companies. Security sector reform (SSR) looks at ways to reform and develop 13 districts including Jhapa, Baglunhg, these various bodies and policies that promotes development and security for Gorkha, Janakpur, Chitwan, Surkhet, ordinary people. Effective SSR can contribute directly to preventing violent Butuwal, Nepalganj, Nawalparasi, conflict, ensuring people feel safer and helps to reduce poverty. Mahendranagar, Kavre, Birganj,

24 SAFERWORLD SAFERWORLD UPDATEUPDATE ·· JANUARYNOVEMBER 2008 2008 Pakistan Nepal

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Raising civil society voices on security sector reform in Nepal

Sri Identifying security needs Biratnagar. Some programmesLank willa also be broadcast nationally and two public When the peace agreement was on the changing security situation in service announcements have been signed, not much was known about Nepal that will hopefully inform aired. Security providers, political and people’s feelings about security and decision makers and policy formers. community leaders, human rights justice in post-conflict Nepal. But it Our work with the Antenna activists, women’s activists and the was clear that Nepal’s communities Foundation has shown how effective general public have all taken part in were still suffering from high levels it is to bring different groups together the programmes which have been well of crime and insecurity. To help to discuss security issues. We are received by communities and security understand why this was and how holding a series of meetings with the providers as they give people an this might be tackled, Saferworld and Nepal Institute of Policy Studies for opportunity to air their views. Interdisciplinary Analysts (IDA) high level decision makers to discuss conducted nationwide research on SSR with civil society. A series of essays Communities are more public perceptions of public safety written by Nepali security experts on understanding of what service and policing in Nepal, which was SSR is being used to accompany these meetings and will be published next the police are able to deliver. published earlier this year. The results of the research showed year. We are also looking at ways to … It has been an important that most people expressed some provide training on conflict and step to develop a close working trust in the police, but only 22% security issues. As a first step we are relationship between the police believed the police were reliable in working with the Ministry of Peace and local community and help bringing criminals to justice. Overall, and Reconstruction to help it take a conflict-sensitive approach to its to build trust. the public now wants a police service that thinks and acts democratically policies and programmes. We also and works in co-operation with their hope to provide some support The feedback received so far is through training and technical advice communities. We have continued to encouraging, and listeners have found to the Nepal Police Academy. concentrate on finding more about the programmes extremely informative. security problems in Nepal. This year Security providers, like the police, have Download Public safety and also welcomed being given the we undertook a new survey looking policing in Nepal from our website: opportunity to express how challenging at people’s perceptions of security www.saferworld.org.uk/ their work is. Communities are more and security sector reform (SSR), publications.php/300/public_safety_ understanding of what service the which will enable Saferworld and and_policing_in_nepal police are able to deliver. The police are partners to provide comparative data trying to be more efficient to ensure they can be an effective institution for the people of Nepal. It has been an important step to develop a close working relationship between the police and local community and help to build trust.

SAFERWORLD UPDATE · NOVEMBER 2008 5 Pakistan

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Small arms in Sri Lanka

Trap guns More than two decades of protracted conflict have had a major impact on security and development in Sri Lanka. Since 2006 the conflict has escalated; the violence In May, Saferworld and its partner, is estimated to have killed over 8,000 people between 2006 and 2007. In January South Asia Small Arms Network – 2008 the fragile ceasefire agreement between the Government and the Sri Lanka (SASA-Net), launched a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam officially ended. Coupled with this armed violence report and documentary film on and the breakdown of law and order, crime has flourished. There is widespread the impact of trap guns in Sri Lanka. illegal possession of shotguns, automatic military style assault weapons and These illicit home-made weapons homemade galkatas. There are also problems with improvised ‘trap guns’ which are primarily used to protect crops. are used to protect crops but cause a significant number of deaths each year. They kill and injure indiscriminately and as well as the human cost, this weakens economic development The situation in Sri Lanka presents Government particularly as the report when able-bodied workers are Saferworld with one of its most raises sensitive questions and covers victims. The report, Trap guns in challenging environments to work in. difficult issues important for public Sri Lanka and the documentary, The main focus of the country pro- safety, the rule of law and good The Trap, show the human, gramme is to engage with the Govern- governance in Sri Lanka. The survey is economic and environmental ment and civil society to help develop frank in raising concerns and recom- impacts of trap gun use and the effective controls on small arms and mendations to address a key human lack of effective controls on these light weapons. security issue at a time of intense illicit weapons. Trap gun use is only conflict and increasing militarisation likely to be reduced if alternative Mapping the problem and and has led to the Government forms of protection are provided identifying solutions reviewing its small arms policy. We are for vulnerable households. So it is Saferworld was commissioned by the now supporting NCAPISA to draw up a crucial to take a co-ordinated National Commission Against the national action plan to implement the approach that identifies less Proliferation of Illicit Small Arms recommendations of the survey. We will dangerous means of crop protection (NCAPISA) in Sri Lanka to conduct a continue to support NCAPISA develop as well as stronger enforcement of national survey on small arms. We and implement the action plan, and the law on trap guns. initially carried out a pilot survey in hope to see greater leadership emerge Hambantota district followed by the on the issue among parliamentarians Download Trap guns in Sri Lanka national survey. The research included and senior government officials. from our website, available in a nationwide household survey and English, Sinhala, and Tamil: Download the Survey Report on the interviews, focus group discussions and www.saferworld.org.uk/ Prevalence of Illicit Small Arms in analysis of media reports, state data publications.php/315/trap_guns_ Sri Lanka from our website, available and academic literature. in_ sri_lanka in English, Sinhala and Tamil: Following a number of meetings with www.saferworld.org.uk/publications. NCAPISA to look at the research results, php/356/survey_report_on_the_ the Survey Report on the Prevalence of prevalence_of_illicit_small_arms_in_ Illicit Small Arms in Sri Lanka was sri_lanka approved by the Defence Secretary in March 2008. This was an important milestone in transparency for the

6 SAFERWORLD UPDATE · NOVEMBER 2008 CAMP and Saferworld’s Ballot without ➜ ➜ Caption. Bullet posters on display in North West credit Frontier Province (NWFP) Pakistan. naveed shinwari (camp)

n South Asia, elections can be a flash point for armed violence and insecurity. This tension can Ihave serious consequences for people’s ability to exercise democratic choice between different representatives, the most important check to poor governance.

Ballot without Bullet Afghanistan

In 2006, Saferworld and partners held in the NWFP and highlighted the wider Pakistan successful ‘Ballot without Bullet’ impact of small arms misuse during Nepal campaigns in Sri Lanka to coincide with elections. Whilst there is no conclusive India Bangladesh the Presidential and local elections. proof, local people reported a per­ Drawing on this experience, Saferworld ception that there were lower rates of and local partners ran similar campaigns election related deaths and injuries in in Nepal and Pakistan this year amidst the areas where the campaign ran than widespread fears of serious armed in other districts. China violence in each case. In Nepal,Pakistan Saferworld and the Institute In Pakistan, Saferworld supported its for Human Rights Communication in Nepal partner organisation, Community Nepal conducted a Ballot without Bullet Appraisal and Motivation Programme campaign to discourage use of small

(CAMP) to conduct a Ballot without arms during Nepal’s constituent India Sri Lanka Bullet public awareness and advocacy assembly elections in March. Billboards, Bangladesh campaign that targeted voters in five banners and posters were displayed in areas of the North West Frontier the main cities in 21 districts that were Province (NWFP) during the Presidential considered to be most affected during Local people reported a elections using banners, posters, radio the conflict. Following previous broadcasts and press conferences. The postponements of the elections, many perception that the campaign campaign encouraged political groups people had been concerned that the in Pakistan contributed to lower and the general public to refrain from election either would not take place, rates of election-related deaths ‘arms display and use’ during the or if it did, it would be accompanied by and injuries in the areas where elections. There was significant media widespread armed violence. However interest including two special radio in the end, the elections were largely the campaign ran than in other discussion programmes on the issue. free from major armed violence, a districts. The campaign helped to raise aware- significant step in Nepal’s recovery ness on the need for small from conflict.

Sri Lanka

CAMP press conference to discourage A Ballot without Bullet banner on Women discuss a Ballot without Bullet gun use at elections in Pakistan. display near a polling station in Nepal. poster in Nepal.

SAFERWORLD UPDATE · NOVEMBER 2008 7 Staff news Funding news Welcome to... Goodbye and thank you to... Saferworld is grateful to the… Susan Abok Admin and Finance Claire Hickson Head of Advocacy Canadian Department of Foreign Officer, Kampala Office and Communications Affairs and International Trade – David Ayuen Project Officer Emily Marr HR and Administration CAD for £440,000 towards the first Edouard Belloncle Security and Officer year of our programme on arms Justice Sector Development Adviser Sonia Rai Project Co-ordinator, controls and community security in Vanessa Dury Communications Advocacy and Communications Southern Sudan Adviser (after maternity leave) Camilla Volcic Intern, Small Arms Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust Virginie Giarmana EU Policy and and Transfer Controls for £120,000 over two years for our Advocacy Co-ordinator (after Jacqueline Macalesher Project UK/EU arms transfer control work maternity leave) Officer, Small Arms and Transfer Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Sophia Khan HR and Administration Controls Affairs for £830,000 over three years Officer for preventing violence and enhancing Bernardo Mariani Strategic Issues This edition of Update was edited by security in the Horn of Adviser (after sabbatical) Vanessa Dury. UK Conflict Prevention Pool for £116,000 towards SSR work and £97,000 for transfer controls work To keep up to date with what we’re doing, you can sign up to our free Norwegian Royal Ministry of Foreign RSS feed which includes information about all the areas of our work. To sign Affairs for £95,000 for work in Nepal up to this service, click on the orange RSS button in the top left hand corner and regional initiatives on small arms of each page of our website at: www.saferworld.org.uk in Asia over the next year. Support us

Saferworld’s work to reduce and prevent violent conflict and promote co-operative approaches to security continues to evolve. We are always looking at ways to respond to challenges in an ever changing world. This work is only made possible with the help of our supporters. Much of our funding is awarded for specific projects, so it is the regular and consistent money given by our supporters that can help us to identify new areas of work or respond quickly to crises. You can help us by becoming a supporter, making a donation or leaving a legacy. To find out more please contact Emma Phillips on +44 (0) 20 7324 4646 visit our website: www.saferworld.org.uk/support.php or fill out the form below. Thank you. ✄ I would like to become a Saferworld I would like to make a donation of: supporter and enclose my annual £ ______subscription of: £20 (waged) £10 (unwaged) Total: £ ______£30 (overseas) I enclose a cheque / CAF cheque made payable to Saferworld; or Name ______Charge my Mastercard / Visa card no. Address ______

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