Campaign Against Arms Trade

Campaign Against Arms Trade
Name	Campaign Against Arms Trade
Formation	1974
Type	Non-governmental organisation
Headquarters	London
Region served	United Kingdom
Leader title	Director

Campaign Against Arms Trade The Campaign Against Arms Trade is a British non-governmental organization founded in 1974 to oppose the international trade in arms and defence exports. The group has campaigned against suppliers such as BAE Systems, protested events like the DSEI exhibition and lobbied institutions including the United Kingdom Parliament and the European Union for export controls. The organisation has engaged with legal mechanisms such as the Arms Trade Treaty and national licensing regimes connected to the Export Control Act.

History

The organisation was established in 1974 by activists influenced by campaigns surrounding the Vietnam War, debates after the Troubles and movements linked to Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Anti-Apartheid Movement. Early activity involved protests near sites tied to Royal Ordnance and demonstrations against delegations from countries like South Africa during the apartheid era. In the 1980s and 1990s the group targeted contractors such as Marconi and English Electric amid controversies over sales to states involved in the Iran–Iraq War and conflicts in Latin America. During the 2000s the organisation focused on companies including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies and BAE Systems over exports related to Iraq War and Afghanistan. In the 2010s and 2020s campaigns engaged with institutions such as United Nations forums on the Arms Trade Treaty and national courts like the High Court of Justice in England and Wales.

Objectives and Campaigns

The organisation’s stated objectives include ending the sale of weapons technology to abusive regimes, influencing export licensing by bodies such as the UK Export Control Joint Unit, and promoting adherence to instruments like the Arms Trade Treaty and Geneva Conventions. Notable campaigns have included opposition to delegations from countries such as Saudi Arabia over the Yemen Civil War, protests targeting arms fairs at venues like ExCeL London and legal challenges against decisions by the Secretary of State for International Trade. Campaigns have also addressed transfers involving states including Israel, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Syria, Russia, China, India, Nigeria, Colombia, Chile, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Sudan, and Venezuela.

Organization and Structure

The group is organised with a national office in London and regional networks across the United Kingdom working with coalitions such as Greenpeace, Amnesty International, Oxfam, Human Rights Watch and War on Want. Decision-making has involved a national committee, a director role, and volunteer-led local groups modelled on structures used by movements like Direct Action Network and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. The organisation has engaged with trade unions such as Unite the Union and political parties including Labour Party members sympathetic to its agenda, while also coordinating with international partners like International Action Network on Small Arms and Control Arms Coalition.

Tactics and Advocacy

Tactics have ranged from peaceful demonstrations outside events such as DSEI and occupations reminiscent of actions by Extinction Rebellion to research and briefing work submitted to bodies like the Commons Select Committee on International Trade and the European Parliament. The group uses legal routes in courts such as the High Court of Justice in England and Wales and has pursued Freedom of Information requests to offices like the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Media campaigns have involved outlets including the BBC, The Guardian, The Independent, Financial Times and Channel 4 News. The organisation also employs digital advocacy across platforms frequented by audiences of Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, and participates in conferences hosted by United Nations bodies and European Union institutions.

Criticism and Controversies

The organisation has faced criticism from industry groups such as the Defence Manufacturers Association and firms like BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies who argue the trade supports defence and jobs in constituencies represented in the United Kingdom Parliament. Critics in media outlets like the Daily Telegraph and think tanks such as the Institute for Economic Affairs and Royal United Services Institute have accused the group of risking national security debates and oversimplifying complex export controls. Controversies have included clashes with policing bodies like the Metropolitan Police Service during protests, legal costs from challenges in the High Court of Justice in England and Wales, and debates with politicians from parties including the Conservative Party, Labour Party and Liberal Democrats over tactics and implications for foreign policy.

Impact and Outcomes

The organisation has influenced public debate and policy, contributing to parliamentary inquiries in the House of Commons and prompting reassessments of licences by the UK Export Control Joint Unit and ministers in Department for International Trade. Campaigns helped shape public scrutiny around sales to states involved in the Yemen Civil War and influenced civil society positions during negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty at the United Nations General Assembly. The organisation’s actions have coincided with corporate reputational pressures on firms like BAE Systems and regulatory reviews by bodies such as the Export Control Joint Unit and courts including the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, while cooperation with groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch has amplified litigation and advocacy outcomes.

Category:Anti–arms trade organisations