Peace and Security

Research and advocacy being core competencies of CAMP, it is running several information and advocacy campaigns against the use of small arms and light weapons, landmines, and cluster bombs. In addition CAMP is an active member of the following global networks:

1. International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA)
2. International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), a 1997 Nobel Laureate
3. Cluster Monition Coalition (CMC)

CAMP is also the country’s primary ‘Landmine Monitor Researcher’ in Pakistan for the Landmine Monitor Report, which is an unprecedented project of ICBL. Since Pakistan is not a member of the Ottawa Landmine Ban Treaty, CAMP is working to increase awareness in this regard and for the ratification of the treaty in Pakistan. The first ever research report on the situation of small arms and light weapons in Pakistan has recently been published by CAMP.

Small Arms & Light Weapons (SALW):

Small arms are weapons of mass destruction, killing half a million people around the world each year. That's far higher than the casualty count from conventional weapons of war like tanks, bomber jets or warships. At government level, Pakistan has made little progress towards the UN Plan of Action and, has not involved civil society organizations in achieving its goal towards control of illicit SALW in all its aspects. CAMP's efforts against the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons acts as a catalyst to pursue the government to effectively reform the security sector to better control the proliferation of SALW and increase levels of human security undermined by armed violence. The strategy is twofold - on one hand CAMP enhances its public education/awareness campaign to highlight the impact of SALW in order to build public opinion against the illicit possession and use, manufacturing, trade and transfer of SALW, and on the other hand CAMP advocates and lobbies the government at different forums to:

• Increase control over the access and availability of SALW in Pakistan
• Reduce demand for such weapons and improve compliance with the law
• Implement norms and laws to regulate and control access to and use of weapons

Promotion of Arms Trade Treaty (ATT):

In Pakistan, according to some estimates, 20 million small arms and light weapons are in civilian hands, including only 2 million licensed weapons. The deteriorating law and order situation in most parts of Pakistan has halted the process of development, especially in FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas), Swat and Balochistan province. The international community as well as the government of Pakistan are willing to invest but the armed violence does not allow the implementing actors to implement projects on ground.

Pakistan has been a vocal opponent in the Group of Government Experts meeting (the UN group charged with deciding whether an ATT treaty is feasible). It remains concerned that a treaty might limit their ability to procure weapons, as well as their ability to export weapons. They are also concerned about the perceived subjectivity attached to human rights criteria, which they fear may shift with changing political priorities (e.g. the changing view on weapons exports to Iraq – allowed during the Iran/Iraq war but stopped thereafter).

In May 2007, CAMP organised a national people’s consultation and the recommendation report was submitted to the Government of Pakistan. However, there remains a need to organise more civil society consultations to maintain pressure on the Government of Pakistan following the latest round of the Group of Government Experts and to ensure that the government takes strong and useful actions on ATT. CAMP, with the financial support from British High Commission Islamabad (BHC), organised a series of provincial and national civil society consultations from January – March 2009. A report based on these consultations was drawn up by civil society in April 2009. In order to maintain momentum further briefing sessions to senior Government of Pakistan officials and Parliament are planned to increase awareness within the executive and legislative and to ensure the findings are properly presented and acted upon.

Armed Violence and Development:

The deteriorating law and order situation in most parts of Pakistan has halted the process of development, especially in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The frustrated tribal youth, who have been living in a closed and conservative society, have taken up arms and are easy prey to the jihadi armed groups.

CAMP has been working closely with local communities and youth groups in the remote areas of FATA through various development and conflict preventions projects. The cross-cutting theme of all these projects is the involvement of the local leadership in the entire process. The technical capacity of these youth groups and local leadership are enhanced in conflict prevention, conflict transformation, advocacy and lobbying, and how to manage their respective areas/villages through participatory development. The overall process will help giving voices to the local communities who could advocate and lobby for their rights.

Universalisation of Mine Ban Treaty:

CAMP is a member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). ICBL is the Nobel Peace Laureate, 1997. Since Pakistan has not ratified the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty of 1997, CAMP advocates the universalisation of Ottawa Landmine Ban Treaty.

Furthermore, CAMP has been conducting research and writing the Pakistan chapter for the Landmine Monitor Reports 2005-2009. Due to new development at ICBL the 2010 report will also focus on Cluster Munitions and therefore the 2010 report is titled ‘Landmine Cluster Report 2010’, which CAMP is assigned to undertake in Pakistan.