Press Clippings from 2013

CAAT's activities frequently receive media coverage. Here is a selection of articles from national and international media. (Articles marked with the logo were written by CAAT or are interviews with CAAT spokespeople.)

Letters - End the secrecy over UK drones

12 June, 21 signatories, including Ann Feltham for CAAT, The Guardian, Letters

"On Wednesday, 12 June, the Drone Campaign Network will deliver a petition, signed by 10,000 people, calling on the UK government to end the secrecy surrounding the use of British drones in Afghanistan.....As the RAF starts launching drone strikes from British soil (Report, 25 April), the British government must lift the veil of secrecy surrounding this deadly new form of remote-control warfare."

Calls to ban sales of British teargas to Turkey after police attack protesters

10 June, Laura Pitel, The Times (paywall)

The UK has sold thousands of pounds worth of teargas to Turkey amid concerns about the crackdown in Istanbul and other cities. Ian Prichard of Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) said that Britain should consider revoking licences. "Turkey had a flawed human rights record.... Despite this, the UK government designates Turkey as a 'priority market' for UK arms sales and actively pushes weapons sales on behalf of private arms companies."

'Dizzying' scale of EU arms exports scrutinised

31 May, Ian Mackinnon, Public Service Europe

Neither the EU nor its member states have shown a commitment to making their arms exports data easily accessible – so should citizens begin to wonder what the figures might be hiding? Now Europeans can get instant access to the figures for these transactions, with which to better scrutinise and guide the actions of their elected officials, with a new web application created by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) which shows the history of weapons transactions since 1998.

EU arms export data must be not be hidden away

30 May, Kaye Stearman, Defence Management

The European Union (EU) is far from transparent when it comes to arms exports, even though it contains some of the world's largest arms sellers. Few EU citizens know the basic facts about this deadly trade. A new arms export app from Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) should aid transparency by presenting complex data in an accessible and graphic format.

UK approved £112m of arms exports to Saudi Arabia last year

20 May, Nick Hopkins, The Guardian

The UK has granted arms export licences to Saudi Arabia worth almost £4 billion over the past four years, including £112 million in 2012, despite growing fears about human rights in the kingdom. The UK also sold £433 million worth of military equipment and services to Oman last year. A CAAT spokesperson said: "These figures for 2012 show the UK arms industry continues to focus on the Gulf states, despite their reputation for human rights abuse and lack of democracy."

Willie Rennie Faces Questions Over UK Arms Deals

14 May, Michael Gray, National Collective

Willie Rennie, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, visited Thales Optronics in Glasgow and hailed their work as "truely impressive". Thales is one of the world's largest arms companies and its subsidiaries provide military hardware for Saudi Arabia. Henry McLaughlin from Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) said: "Before the last general election the Lib Dems criticised arms selling to Saudi Arabia. ... Now in government they are actively promoting arms sales to Saudi Arabia."

Mark Leftly: How guerrilla tactics are forcing boardrooms to man the battle stations

14 May, Mark Leftly, The Independent

A report on how campaigners are carrying on with the legacy of the "shareholider spring", using three examples. It states that Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) was by far the best orchestrated saying "the campaigners pressured the chairman, Dick Olver, time and again to answer questions on why BAE entered military contracts with the oppressive Saudi Arabian regime" and that Mr Olver had never before experienced a more difficult time as AGM Chair.

BAE Systems under fire over Saudi deals

9 May, Mark Leftly, The Independent

A report from the AGM of BAE Systems in Farnborough describes the protests against the company, especially their deals with Saudi Arabia. It says that Campaign Against Arms Trade easily took over the meeting. It describes the forcible eviction of protesters after their attempts to disrupt the meeting with singing, hissing and clapping. A campaigner attempted to present Chairman Dick Olver with a "whitewash award" "for all your work... You have been happy about supplying weapons to Saudi Arabia, a more oppressive regime than Burma."

BAE bosses try to hide from scrutiny - and fail

8 May, Symon Hill, Ekklesia

A personal account from a Christian anti-arms trade campaigner on his attendence at BAE AGM in Farnborough and how he was forcibly carried out of the building after challenging the board on BAE’s arms sales to the brutal regimes of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. He reflects on his experience and why he believes that Christians should not be complicit in the arms trade. He ends by saying that he will continue to attend BAE AGMs to protest against the company.

The Arms Trade Treaty: A historic and momentous failure

29 April, Kirk Jackson, Ceasefire Magazine

The UN’s adoption of an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was celebrated as a historic success by many NGOs. Kirk Jackson from Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) analyses the provisions of the ATT and reveals how a treaty that never seriously threatened the arms trade was critically weakened at the UN, and how it could legitimise the arms industry and powerful arms-selling states.

Protect and survive: Welcome to London’s counter-terrorism shop window

25 April, Cahal Milmo, The Independent

A report from the Counter Terror Expo 2013 which focuses on internal security issues and where arms companies turn out in force to display their products. The report describes the event as "a shop window for a multibillion market for British and other manufacturers" and estimates the market as worth about $70bn a year. Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) said: "the links between police, paramilitary and military are very close in many countries as are the weapons they deploy."

It goes ahead: Todt and Ecclestone reject final calls to cancel Bahrain Grand Prix

17 April, Ian Parkes, Mail Online

FIA President Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone have rejected a plea for this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix to be cancelled. They were responding to a letter, co-signed by four NGOs, including Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), calling for a rethink on the race. They said that if the race went ahead "it will be taking place in a country whose government continues to commit gross human rights violations, from arbitary arrests to torture."

Calls in Parliament for military spending to be directed to meet human needs

16 April, Ellen Teague, Independent Catholic News

On the Global Day of Action on Military Spending, 15 April 2013, peace and development groups met in parliament to voice concerns about continuing high levels of military expenditure at a time of financial austerity. Speakers included Anne-Marie O'Reilly of Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) who pointed out that "the UK's military spending each year is enough to stop the cuts to the NHS twice over".

Amnesty hails new arms trade treaty

3 April, Paddy McGuffin, Morning Star

Human rights groups expressed mixed reactions following the agreement of a new United Nations arms treaty. Amnesty International hailed the agreement as a major victory for human rights. But Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) said that it believed that the treaty would be ineffective and would allow Britain and other countries to continue to sell arms to repressive regimes unhindered.

UN Greenlights Long-Awaited Arms Trade Treaty

2 April, George Gao, Inter Press Service

The adopted ATT legally binds "States Parties" - or those who ratify the treaty's text - to report their arms transfers and to assess whether such transfers will reach the hands of human rights and humanitarian law violators. Critics point out that the ATT will barely put a dent in the military industrial complex and the global arms trade. "The treaty won't curb exports and is not intended to", Ann Feltham told IPS.

UN approves global arms trade treaty - but how effective will it be?

3 April, Jerome Taylor and Eric Short, The Independent

Even before the ink was dry there was scepticism that the UN's newly passed global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) will have any palpable effect unless the world's biggest weapons manufacturers sign up. "The treaty legitimises the arms trade," said Ann Feltham, CAAT's Parliamentary Coordinator.

UN general assembly passes first global arms treaty

2 April, Ian Black, The Guardian

The UN has adopted its first ever treaty aimed at controlling the trade in conventional weapons. While Amnesty International and the Red Cross praised the agreement for advancing humanitarian concerns, others, such as Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), expressed reservations. "The treaty will not stop any of the arms exports of the world's largest arms-producing countries or arms companies."

Why an arms trade treaty won't stop the arms trade

18 March, Ann Feltham, Open Democracy

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) is sceptical about the impact of an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), now being negotiated. The UK government may be working for an ATT, but it has no intention to stop pushing arms sales and has arms industry representation on the UK delegation. The government is happy to create the impression that an ATT would stop weapons to repressive regimes. The reality is different. A Foreign Office official confirmed that Middle East countries had been told that after a treaty it would be business as usual.

BAE banned by twenty vote majority

15 March, Max Bruges, Leeds Student

A motion by Leeds University Students Union to ban arms giant BAE Systems from campus has been passed by a twenty vote majority - 826 to 804. The motion demands that the company is forbidden from attending careers fairs on campus, from providing future funding to university research projects and that the University must sell all shares held in the company.

Optimism Ahead of UN Arms Trade Conference

15 March, Henry Ridgwell, Voce of America

Negotations on the UN Arms Trade Treaty begin in New York on 18 March, two years after the start of the Syrian uprising. While Amnesty International says that reaching a consensus will be difficult, Kaye Stearman of Campaign Against Arms Trade says that the same countries that want to see a treaty also continue to promote and sell arms to human rights abusers such as Saudi Arabia.

BBC impartiality under fire for correspondent's role in security summit

11 March, James Cusick, The Independent

The Security and Policing Exhibition 2013 aims to showcase and sell UK security technology to the world. Overseas delegates are likely to include those from repressive regimes. CAAT has made a formal complaint to the BBC over the participation of BBC Security Correspondent Gordon Corera who is chairing a conference session on cyber-security.

UN gathers to make arms trade deal but is war just too good for business?

5 March, Graeme Greene, Metro

In March nations will meet at the United Nations to negotiate an Arms Trade Treaty. Organisations lobbying for a treaty, such as Amnesty International and Oxfam, are concerned that the treaty will be too weak but Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) is sceptical, believing that a treaty will not stop weapons being promoted and exported by governments.

Seven days - a week in the life of Wendela de Vries

27 February, Wendela de Vries, Public Service Europe

Wendela de Vries, of the European Network Against Arms Trade (ENAAT) gives a day-by-day account of one busy week in her life, working with anti-arms trade groups, including CAAT, to ensure a different perspective on the arms industry.

Cameron getting cosier than ever with the arms trade

24 February, Paddy McGuffin, Morning Star

The prime minister's visit to India is just the latest in a series of arms trade trips, a symbol of the relaxed, almost casual attitude of the current government to the arms industry. Figures from Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) show that between May 2010 and September 2012 Britain approved export licences worth over £20 billion.

Oxford Union takes money from weapons firm

22 February, Rowan Borchers, Cherwell

The Ocford Union has been criticised after receiving sponsorship from BAE Systems. Beth Smith, of Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), says: "It is ironic and shameful that the Oxford union, supposedly a forum for free and open debate, is to accept sponsorship from BAE, which has shown itself unwuilling to open itself to public knowledge and information on its secretive arms dealing worldwide."

Documents show Britain sold arms to Sri Lanka while expressing shock over human rights violations

20 February, Kounteya Sinha, The Times of India

Even as David Cameron tours India, his government is questioned about UK arms sales to Sri Lanka. Government records, sent to TOI by Campaign Against Arms Trade, show that the UK has supplied weapons worth "millions of pounds" to the Sri Lankan government even though Britain's foreign office has expressed concern over human rights violations there.

PM under fire for hawking jets to India

19 February, Paddy McGuffin, Morning Star

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) accused Prime Minister David Cameron of acting as hawker-in-chief for the arms industry following his attempts to secure a deal for the Eurofighter during his Indian visit. Kaye Stearman of CAAT told the Star: "Some people may be 'squeamish' but increasing numbers are sickened and disgusted by his jaunts."

Royal Navy sends warship to Libya to showcase defence equipment

18 February, Chris Stephen and Nick Hopkins, The Guardian

The UK is attempting to boost military equipment sales to Libya by sending a Royal Navy warship to Tripoli to act as a floating shop window for security firms. Prominent Libyans said that Libya had no need of more weapons and Campaign Against Arms Trade said it had concerns about the mission and UKTI should be more transparent.

Is Britain's arms trade making a killing?

18 February, Andy Beckett, The Guardian

David Cameron travels the world promoting UK arms companies but is the industry really as important as it claims to be? The article analyses the arms industry, using information from various sources, including Campaign Against Arms Trade. While the government claims it supports 300,000 jobs,Ian Prichard of CAAT says "The actual defence industry workforce is maximum 215,000 and could well be 30,000 to 40,000 less."

Royal Navy sends warship to Libya to showcase defence equipment

18 February, Chris Stephen and Nick Hopkins, The Guardian

Revealed: UK sells arms to Sri Lanka's brutal regime

18 February, Jerome Taylor, The Independent

The UK is selling small arms to Sri Lanka despite the country's poor human rights record. In the threee months from July to September 2012, the UK government licensed over £3 million worth of small arms, ammunition and body armour for export to Sri Lanka. Campaign Against Arms Trade said: "In 2011-12, not a single licence application for these items was refused, even though the Foreign Office lists Sri Lanka as a 'country of concern' for its human rights record."

The Saudis in the eye of the beholder

1 February, John Snow, Snowblog, Channel 4 News

John Snow draws attention to Saudi funding of jihadist and rebel movements and asks how this links to British military action in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. He outlines the extremely high Saudi military spending, documented by Campaign Against Arms Trade, including BAE Systems negotiating Typhoon jet deals.

St Albans firm licensed to export military equipment to Bahrain

22 January, Debbie White, Herts Advertiser

A St Albans man, John Warren, who is involved with Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has voiced his concern after a Freedom of Information request showed a local firm, Halls & Watts Defence Optics Ltd, successfully applied for a licence to export military equipment to Bahrain.

UoN Comes Under Fire For Arms Funding

19 January, Kateryna Rolle, Impact, University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham has received nearly £6 million from arms firms over the past three years, according to Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT). Almost £5 million comes from Rolls-Royce, with the remainder from the Ministry of Defence and others. BAE Systems was not listed as a funder; however, a leading BAE engineer is quoted on the university website as saying that the University of Nottingham is the company's "ideal partner".

To Sell Arms Britain turns Blind Eye to Algeria's Human Rights Record

18 January, Mehdi Hasan, Huffington Post UK

The hostage situation in Algeria has drawen attention to Algeria's human rights and to the UK's relationship with Algeria, including the military co-operation accord and the £292 million of "strategic export licences" issued between 2008 and June 2012. CAAT said: "Algeria is an authoritarian state with a poor human rights record. We have long urged that such arms sales promotion should be subject to greater public and parliamentary scutiny."

EU arms exports shot up in year before peace prize win

11 January, Foreign Desk, Morning Star

Campaigners revealed that EU countries increased arms sales by almost one-fith in 2011. In that year they licenced arms exports worth €37.5 billion (£31 billion), up 18.3% on 2010. The European Network Against Arms Trade (ENAAT), of which Campaign Against Arms Trade is a member, said: "We call for action to close the gap between the EU's peace rhetoric and its profiteering from war preparations".

Europe arming 'undemocratic and dangerous' states

11 January, Kaye Stearman, Public Service Europe

A comment piece by CAAT's Kaye Stearman on the report on figures for EU arms exports in 2011. Campaign Against Arms Trade is concerned by the huge arms exports to authoritarian and undemocratic regimes in the Middle East and north Africa and to areas of conflict in Asia, which it says is not good for either business or security.

Page updated 23 May 2013