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Control Arms

Logo: Control 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.

Landslide UN vote in favour of Arms Trade Treaty

Arms Trade Treaty Breakthrough: 147 states at the United Nations have voted in favour of moving forward with work on an Arms Trade Treaty. Find out more

New report on arms trade

The world is watching - support an Arms Trade Treaty

The report Blood at the Crossroads is now available. The report presents a highly compelling argument about why an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is necessary to alleviate suffering in some of the worlds most conflict-ravaged areas and making all governments more accountable and responsible to their citizens.

Watch a clip showing devastating effects of the arms trade

Zimbabwe crisis

ShipA Chinese consignment of arms is heading to Zimbabwe. All shipments of small arms, light weapons and ammunition ordered from China by the Zimbabwe Government must be halted as there is a real risk that it may lead to increased human rights violations. Sign the petition on Avaaz.org 

Good news on cluster bombs

A cluster bomb © Landmine ActionOn 30 May, 110 Governments adopted the text of a new Convention banning cluster munitions. The Convention will be open for signature in Oslo on the 2-3 December 2008 and will enter into force 6 months after the 30th country has ratified it. More at www.landmineaction.org

New tougher export controls for UK 

Knotted gun sculpture outside the UN building in New York.

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

Sudan soldierBased 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.

Myanmar arms embargo undermined

Military attack helicopter © Robert HewsonThe 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

Sting stick which was purchased from a Chinese supplier by school students as part of the Dispatches programme 'After School Arms Club' broadcast in April 2006. © Robin Ballantyne 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

control-armsCaught in the crossfire exhibition displays a striking collection of photographs that expose the levels of armed violence around the world. View online slideshow of the exhibition | View an interactive map - Arms without Borders

Street War video

graffiti representing a soldier shootingWatch 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. Watch the clip now

Beckett supports arms treaty

UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett

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

A Teleshop presenter talks up the reliability of the AK47Watch our shocking spoof of a shopping channel offering AK47 machine-guns for sale. Amused or appalled? Join our petition to control the arms trade. Watch the film

Latest news

Landslide UN vote in favour of arms trade treaty 31 Oct 2008
Control Arms campaign demands urgent move to end the carnage US and Zimbabwe only countries to vote against

More news