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.
Cluster bombs banned
There will be a worldwide ban on cluster bombs this year after Burkina Faso and Moldova ratified the international cluster munitions treaty. The ban on the production and use of cluster bombs, needed at least 30 countries to ratify it before it could become law. Find out moreCampaign update
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.
It is clear banks are feeling under increasing pressure to end financial support to these producers. Both HSBC and RBS are working on strengthening their policies in these areas and told us that pressure from their customers was really important! We are continuing to engage directly with them and our dialogue to date has been encouraging. Find out more on the Cluster Munitions Coalition Campaign website (PDF)
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Banks 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) |
Some banks have 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 customers of these banks to help ensure that they end financial support to any company that produces cluster weapons.
- Email your bank now to stop them investing in cluster bombs
- Read the full report on the Cluster Munition Coalition campaign
Cluster Munition Coalition Campaign Updates
Demanding a deadline for the Arms Trade Treaty
UPDATE: 30 October 2009
The vast majority of governments at the UN - 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. Find out more
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. 
The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans cluster bombs, will now come into force after Burkina Faso became the 30th country to ratify the treaty.
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
