UNICEF: Fighting gun violence in Latin America and Caribbean

KINGSTON, Jamaica 5 June 2008 ― UNICEF and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today called for increased effort by all stakeholders to stem the illegal flow and use of small arms in Jamaica, saying gun control ― combined with long-term social interventions ― are critical to curb the armed violence that has enveloped the country.

The UN agencies issued their appeal as the world observes the Global Week of Action against Gun Violence, and as Jamaica confronts what has been reported as one of the bloodiest periods of gang- and gun-related homicides in the nation's history.

UNDP and UNICEF expressed deep concern for the effect of the spiraling murder rate on children and their communities, and ultimately the country's economic development. The agencies said small arms, which include machine guns, shotguns, assault rifles and other deadly firearms, are the dominant weapons used in the violence sweeping the island.

In this video, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin
America and the Caribbean Nils Kastberg discusses the need for new solutions to address the rising incidents of gun violence in that region.

To read the full story, visit: http://www.uniceflac.org/

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• UNICEF
• Latin
• America
• Caribbean
• gun
• violence
• children
• Nils
• Kastberg

[mikekazik1]

But the guy never called for more gun control. Gun control doesn't prevent violence since it doesn't address the core problems that cause violence in the first place. The Unicef guy advocated more social programs that would strike the poverty issue head on. That would decrease gun violence.

[thunderflash82]

gun control increases violence, crime, and ironically enough, gun use.

[suarezjaguar]

weapons to defend themselves is a right.