"The work of Campaign Against Arms Trade is really great and uplifting. I wish we had something comparable in the U.S."
Noam Chomsky, world-renowed linguist, scholar and political analyst.
Aims of the Campaign
The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) works for the reduction and ultimate abolition of the international arms trade, together with progressive demilitarisation within arms-producing countries.
CAAT is a network of people based in the UK who recognise that the arms trade severely undermines human rights, security and economic development at global, regional, national and local levels. CAAT also understands that government decisions are unduly influenced by arms companies. In seeking to end this trade, CAAT's priorities are to:
- end all government political and financial support for arms exports;
- end exports to oppressive regimes, countries involved in armed conflict or in regions of tension and countries whose social welfare is threatened by military spending;
- promote policies to fully orientate the UK economy towards civil production.
CAAT supports the promotion of peace, justice and democratic values, and the prevention and resolution of conflicts by peaceful means. CAAT considers that high military spending is unacceptable and only reinforces a militaristic approach to problems. CAAT is committed to nonviolence in all its work.
CAAT was set up in 1974 by a number of peace and other organisations who were concerned about the growth of the arms trade following the Middle East war of 1973.
Commitment to non-violence
Involvement in organising and participation in CAAT's demonstrations and protests is conditional on accepting the need to remain non-violent at all times. This principle is at the core of our guidance for involvement in CAAT actions.
How we are organised
CAAT has no formal membership structure. Individuals and affiliated groups (local branches of peace organisations, trade unions, churches, etc), donate whatever they can afford towards the cost of running the Campaign and receiving CAAT News. There are also sponsoring groups who either took part in founding CAAT or have taken a major supporting role since. CAAT has local groups and individual local contacts who take action locally against the arms trade.
In addition to local groups, CAAT also has a Christian Network which looks at arms trade issues involving churches and mobilises Christians against the arms trade. We also have a Universities Network which involves students and university staff in campus-based campaigning. The Action Network is for those people particularly interested in taking non-violent direct action on the arms trade. Potentially, other new networks can be formed at any time.
International Links
The globalisation of the arms industry has massive implications. To remain relevant, opposition to the arms trade must also globalise. CAAT is keen to develop existing connections, build relationships, share information and work with all anti-arms organisations around the world to apply global pressure on the international trade in weapons. CAAT helped to found the European Network Against Arms Trade and works with organisations in South Africa, Canada and the USA.