Catch bombsControl Arms
Every year, millions of people suffer as a result of the irresponsible global arms trade. In 2006, 153 governments voted overwhelmingly at the United Nations to develop an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to control this deadly trade. Two years on, we are still watching and waiting for governments to honor this promise to deliver a treaty.
UN discussions - Act now
As more formal discussions on the Treaty begin at the UN, there are concerns over how effective the treaty will actually be.
Several states are arguing for clauses that would really weaken the treaty, making it basically meaningless.
UN vote for Arms Trade Treaty
|
Arms Trade Treaty Report: Blood at the Crossroads
|
In October 2008, 147 states at the United Nations voted overwhelmingly to move
forward with work on an Arms Trade Treaty.
A compelling argument on why an Arms Trade Treaty is needed to ease suffering
in conflict-ravaged areas and make governments accountable to their citizens.
Watch a clip showing devastating effects of the arms trade
Chinese arms ship stopped
|
cluster bombs milestone
|
A Chinese arms consignment was stopped from unloading in Zimbabwe due to public pressure,
the International Trade Federation has confirmed. This is excellent news as it
was likely that these arms would aid human rights violations in Zimbabwe. Many
thanks to the 100,000 of you who signed the petition.
At the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Oslo, 92 governments signed the ban
on the production, stockpiling, use and export of cluster bombs. The treaty will
become law 6 months after the 30th country has ratified it. Over 100 countries
are expected to finally sign the treaty. New tougher export controls for UK
Some important campaigning victories for the UK arms control laws. In February 2008, the government announced some important changes to its export control system. Over the last few months it has been reviewing its 2002 and 2004 export control legislation. Under proposed new changes, brokering and trafficking controls will be strengthened for small arms, finally closing a loophole which allows UK citizens to broker small arms if they operate outside UK territory. Read more about this story
Arms continuing to fuel crisis in Darfur
|
Myanmar arms embargo undermined
|
Based on the testimony of hundreds of survivors as well as commercial documents,
the report Sudan: Arms continuing to fuel human rights violations in Darfur reveals details of the uncontrolled arms exports that have fuelled human rights
abuses in Sudan.
The proposed transfer to Myanmar of a military helicopter containing components from
as many as six EU countries threatens to undermine an arms embargo on Myanmar,
according to a new report.Stop the trade in torture
Amnesty International's Tools of Torture report highlights the need for the UK to introduce a 'catch all clause' to stop
anyone trading in goods where there are reasonable grounds that they may be used
for torture.
At the moment only equipment named on a specific list is controlled, and several instruments of torture are excluded from this list, including sting sticks, interrogation foot heaters, wall cuffs and handcuffs. The purpose of UK controls on torture is to stop Britain's being involved in this abhorrent trade. Urge the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) to take the simple step that it already does for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).
A Control Arms exhibition
|
Street War video
|
Caught in the crossfire exhibition displays a striking collection of photographs that expose the levels of armed
violence around the world. 
Watch Street War - the latest Control Arms campaign's video.The Control Arms campaign has helped governments to change their attitude towards
the need of an Arms Trade Treaty.
Beckett supports arms treaty
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has added her voice to the growing support for an international Arms Trade Treaty that will bring tougher controls on the arms trade. Find out more |
Guns for sale
|
Watch our shocking spoof of a shopping channel offering AK47 machine-guns for
sale. Amused or appalled? Join our petition to control the arms trade. Latest news
UK: Students and school groups challenge government to quickly deliver Arms Trade Treaty 29 Jun 2009Earlier this month more than 120 students from schools, colleges and universities across the UK met government ministers at the Foreign Office to demand tough new laws to control the arms trade as quickly as possible.
More news
