The UK government claims it has a "responsible" attitude to arms sales. Yet it spends public money on persuading some of the world's worst human rights abusers and most unstable regimes to buy weapons. CAAT's campaign says This is NOT OK.
The National Gallery, one of our most iconic public institutions, regularly hosts evening events for the arms trade. Unless we act, it looks like the Gallery will again host arms dealers during this July's Farnborough Airshow. Act Now to Disarm the Gallery!
Introduction to the Arms Trade
The vast majority of arms sold around the world, including those to human rights abusing governments or into conflict areas, are legal and actively supported by governments. Take our tour around the key issues of the arms trade.
Arms Fairs exist so that arms buyers and sellers can come together, network and make deals. They allow the weapons manufacturers to promote their products to regimes in conflict, those with terrible human rights records, or with human development needs.
The UK government doesn't just approve the sales of arms to unstable & despotic regimes - it actively promotes them - through a taxpayer funded arms sales unit. CAAT is calling for the closure of the UKTI Defence & Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) and an end to its functions.
One of the few ways the Government and the arms companies can rally public support for the arms trade is to claim that it keeps people in work. But these jobs are supported by public funds and the Government could reallocate the resources to create work in far more socially-useful activities.
BAE Systems is the world's largest arms producer and it sells its weaponry indiscriminately around the world. Investigations into allegations of corruption in numerous countries has led to plea bargain settlements with authorities in the UK and US, and other investigations continue.
The UK has consistently sold arms to Israel, either directly or as components in US-supplied equipment. There are also collaborative projects between the UK and Israel, most notably on unmanned aerial vehicles.
Despite its appalling human rights record, the Saudi Arabian regime has been one of the most important UK arms markets since the 1960s.
CAAT's other current issues
- Political Influence of Arms Companies
- Arms Trade Treaty
- Corporate Mercenaries
- Corruption
- Export Credits
- South Africa
- Subsidies
Issues which CAAT has focused on recently:
- Ballistic Missile Defense
- Export Controls
- Europe
- Global Poverty
- Indonesia
- Landmines
- Refugees
- Small Arms
CAAT's Previous Campaigns
- Control BAE (2007/2008)
- Shut DESO (2006)
- The Revolving Door (2005)
- Fanning the Flames (2003)
- Shelling Out (2002)
- Paying the Price (2001)
