Bangladesh Network on Small Arms (BANSA)
Introduction
Bangladesh Action Network on Small Arms (BANSA) was formally declared
as a network of human rights organizations and civil societies
on 16 March 2002. Prior to that the organizations that formed
BANSA formed a working group against illegal trafficking and use
of small arms in Bangladesh following the Brussels Conference
on “Sustainable Disarmament for Sustainable Developments
in 1998. The group played a very important role in running campaign
activities in Bangladesh against illegal trade, transfer and use
of small arms and in favor of adoption of a legally binding tool
in the UN conference that was held in 2001.
Purpose of BANSA
BANSA is an informal network of likeminded NGOs, human
rights organizations and civil societies who want an effective
control of small arms and light weapons through the United Nations.
One of the major development objectives of BANSA is adoption and
implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action on Small Arms
by all member states, particularly Bangladesh and the SAARC countries.
BANSA wants the UN Plan of Action to be a legally binding document.
BANSA also wants to review and improve the UN instrument for effective
arms control at the production line and in production and marketing
of ammunitions.
Organization
The network does not have a permanent formal Committee;
rather it works informally under the leadership of a Coordinator.
BDPC office in Dhaka hosts the secretariat and provides day to
day secretarial support. Currently BANSA has 41 members and nearly
82 associate organizations. Besides, activity-wise BANSA has networking
linkages with a number of NGO and civil society network in Bangladesh.
Funding
So far, BANSA has been supported b its members and associates.
On some occasions BANSA received special support from the Bangladesh
Development Partnership Centre (BDPC).
Contact Address:
Coordinator
BANSA
138Ka, Pisciculture
Shyamoli, Dhaka 1207
Bangladesh.
Phone: 880-2-8110542
Email: bdpc@agni.com
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