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.

• Background to the campaign
• Join today at controlarms.org
• Add your picture to the million faces petition
  

Celebrate cluster bombs ban

On 1st August 2010, the Convention on Cluster Munitions formally comes into force, a full and legally binding ban on cluster bombs for all countries that have ratified it (the UK has done so). 

Amnesty International will join with the Cluster Munition Coalition in celebrating this historic moment. On Sunday 1st August, activists are invited to congregate on the Southbank in London, to join with campaigners all over the world in a global drumming event, to celebrate this major milestone in eradicating these horrific weapons. Join us from 3pm outside the Barge House for drumming activities. 

There will also be a photographic exhibition running from 27 July - 2 August.

Report: Words to Deeds

European companies are participating in the global trade in 'tools of torture' despite a Europe-wide ban on the international trade in equipment designed for torture. Read the report

 

Ban cluster bombs

A huge thank you to everyone who has written to their banks on this important issue. Many of you will have received reply's from your banks.

Banks are feeling under increasing pressure to end financial support to these producers. Both HSBC and RBS have strengthened their policies in these areas. Find out more on the Cluster Munitions Coalition Campaign website (PDF)

Barclays Bank has made categorical statements about not financing the Trade in cluster bombs. Whilst this is good news, it has actually been illegal to fund the Trade in Cluster bombs in the UK since October 2008. Our action calls for banks to end all financial support to the producers of cluster bombs, not just the Trade in these weapons.

Please continue to use your influence as Barclays Bank customers of these banks to help ensure that they end financial support to any company that produces cluster weapons.

• Email Barclays Bank to stop them investing in cluster bombs
• Read the full report on the Cluster Munition Coalition campaign

RBS and HSBC statements in response to your letters: RBS statement Amnesty International and the Cluster Munitions Coalition met with RBS to discuss investments in cluster munitions producers, on the 14th of December.  RBS stated that they had followed the Oslo Process closely and have updated their defence sector position with regard to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions. The RBS group recognise the very serious issues surrounding the production and use of cluster munitions, and have committed to not knowingly support any application for financial services that contravene the Convention. A further meeting will be held in the near future, to discuss the progress of the Convention. The RBS defence sector position, along with further details on the Group's approach to sustainable banking, can be found at www.rbs.com/sustainability  HSBC statement - Download the full statement (PDF)

Follow the campaign to ban cluster bombs:

Arms trade treaty

UK: David Miliband adds his support

In 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

Read all news and reports from our research headquarters