25 May 2002

Solomon Islands women push for return of illegal weapons

8:27 am on 25 May 2002

Solomon Islands Women For Peace group is calling on all parliamentarians to take the lead in returning their weapons before the gun amnesty period ends on May 3rd.

The call is contained in a list of resolutions the group will present to the Prime Minister, Sir Allen Kemakeza, sometime next week.

The call is also directed at other national leaders who are holding illegal weapons.

The women's group says although it is happy that some MPs - including the Prime Minister - have signed a gun-free declaration, it wants the rest of them to commit themselves to it.

It adds there is no evidence to prove the households of MPs who signed the declaration are free of guns and ammunition.

It suggests the government should declare Solomon islands a gun-free zone.

And it says it opposes any extension of the amnesty period.