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.
Are you funding cluster bombs?
In the UK, 15 banks and financial institutions are investing in cluster bomb producers. Barclays, HSBC and the Royal Bank of Scotland, between them provide loans and investments to the tune of some £800 millions.
This means that some of the UK's most prominent high street banks are providing some form of financial support to these shamefull and indiscriminate weapons.
- Email your bank now to stop them investing in cluster bombs
- Read the full report on the Cluster Munition Coalition campaign
Get updates from the Cluster Munition CoalitionCampaign
Demanding a deadline for the Arms Trade Treaty
UPDATES
30 October 09 - The vast majority of governments - 153 in total - agreed a timetable to
establish a "strong and robust" Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) with the
"highest common standards" to control international transfers of
conventional arms. There is currently no global Treaty on the
conventional arms trade.
Most of the world's biggest arms
traders - including the USA, UK, France and Germany - will now all back
the UN process. 19 states abstained but are all expected to take part
in the process. Zimbabwe was the only State to vote against. Read the full press release
JOIN THE CONVERSATION on the ConflictVoice website
Control Arms campaign timeline
UN: First Arms Trade Treaty consensus
In July 2009 all governments agreed for the first time that international action is need to address the problem of the unregulated arms trade. A clear message was given that a small number of States must no longer block the desire of the overwhelming majority for a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty.
Recent milestones
UN vote for Arms Trade Treaty
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Cluster bombs ban
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In October 2008, 147 states at the United Nations voted overwhelmingly to move
forward with work on an Arms Trade Treaty. 
At the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Oslo, 92 governments signed the ban
on the production, stockpiling, use and export of cluster bombs.
UK: David Miliband adds his supportIn a letter sent to Amnesty UK director Kate Allen and the Control Arms Coalition, the UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband offered his support for a strong and robust Arms Trade Treaty. Thank you to everybody who sent appeals to David Miliband. Read the full letter (PDF) |
Further information
- Blood at the Crossroads: Making the case for a global arms trade treaty 17 September 2008
- Improvements to UK arms export controls need to go further 8 February 2008
- Indian helicopters for Myanmar: Making a mockery of embargoes? July 2007
- Watch videos from the Control Arms campaign on protectthehuman.com
