Cambodia

Guns are the enemy of peace...

" Conflict in my country was inevitable: communities became over-run by the power of the easily-obtained gun, while successive governments and military regimes here ignored the dangers. Until it was too late. Power changed hands, as men of arms ? most of whom have never been trained to use them properly, or responsibly ? took over leadership by force, at national and local level.

"During the civil war, my family lived in constant fear. Guns were
everywhere ? automatic and semi-automatic rifles, machine guns, pistols ? and so were hand grenades, rocket-propelled grenades, and other life-destroying tools of warfare. Often we had to stay indoors for days at a time, and ran out of food. In such unsafe conditions, schools closed down, business went to ruin, and investors fled the country. In such times, your country's development soon grinds to a halt.

"In Freetown alone, the brutal conflict claimed the lives of more than
5,000 civilians. If they were caught in the crossfire, they remained where they fell for days. It was too dangerous for their families to go out into the streets to reclaim their bodies. Other people lost their lives after they were forced at gunpoint into houses, which were then sprayed with petrol and set on fire.

"Even at times when we could venture outside, it was extremely frightening. Wherever we went ? bars, shops, civil meetings, people's living rooms ? we saw so many people carrying guns. Including children. And everyone was under continuous scrutiny: every movement we made, every word we uttered. Even if we refused to speak out against the atrocities all around us, we weren't safe. Someone could have shot us dead just for the shirt on our back, or for wearing a nice watch.

Disarmament since the war has made Sierra Leone a more peaceful, safer place. People are handing in their weapons (to the United Nations Mission to Sierra Leone). All too late, a great lesson has been learned: guns are enemies of peace, and their use must be strictly controlled. The arms trade treaty (see pp 3-5) will help countries such as Sierra Leone to apply international standards that protect it from illegal transfers of arms by rogue states, or by unscrupulous traders. This will prevent civilian suffering, and help poor countries to develop.

"It is senseless for rich countries to only help a developing country's development, while neglecting its security by failing to impose strict arms controls. Guns must only be used when completely necessary to protect people, and I ask campaigners in the UK to do everything possible to support the Control Arms campaign."