Armed violence reduction : Weapons control and violence reduction in action

What issues are involved in violence reduction and weapons control?

Undertaking action-oriented research and analysis to inform policies, laws and implementation strategies is central to develop further action on weapons control and violence reduction. The HD Centre analyses a range of thematic and country specific situations to gain a clearer understanding of where practice and policy can be affected.  

What activities is the HD Centre undertaking to address this issue? 

On the island of Sulu, off mainland Mindanao, the widespread proliferation of weapons and armed groups threatens public security. Although attention is often directed at the Moro National Liberation Front's (MNLF) movements and foreign terrorist elements in the region, a closer look at the violence reveals that private armed groups linked to powerful political clans often pose the greatest threat to security.

Since 2005, the HD Centre has been supporting the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the MNLF. To this effect, the organization has set up an office in Sulu overseeing a joint initiative with representatives from both parties to prevent and resolve violence issues. The GRP-MNLF Peace Working Group has been active in mitigating violence between the two sides, as well as identifying and resolving other sources of conflict that undermine security.

The proliferation of weapons and armed groups in the region takes a substantial human toll, undermining efforts at sustainable development and security. In August 2007, the HD Centre was invited to advise on the development of two provincial government resolutions related to the disbanding of armed ‘civilian volunteer organisations' (CVOs) and the enforcing of existing gun laws particularly around the carrying of weapons. 

Since then, the HD Centre, the local Government, military, police and civil society representatives have been drafting a framework for action to specifically support the implementation of the two resolutions through monitoring and awareness-raising. A strong emphasis has been placed on identifying viable practical solutions to reduce weapons misuse and violent conflict resolution cultures.

In late 2007 and early 2008, the Armed Violence Reduction Initiative (AVRI) was established with the support of the Government of Norway, to identify viable solutions to reduce weapons misuse and cultures of violent conflict resolution. The AVRI secretariat is based in the HD Centre Sulu office in Jolo. Its activities are currently supported by the Government of Switzerland.

The first edition of Sihnag (Tausug for ‘glow'), a report which summarises the work of AVRI in 2008 and brings forward a range of viewpoints on armed violence in Sulu, was published in January 2009.

Donors to the project

The HD Centre would like to express its thanks to the Government of Switzerland for supporting this project. The HD Centre would also like to thank the Government of Norway for supporting the establishment of the AVRI as well as the project's first operational year.