“Undercover police spied on anti-arms trade campaigners & exaggerated their threat to protect the arms industry”
by The Canary
“Evidence quoted in an opening position statement [..] on 2 Feb by the #UndercoverPolicing #Inquiry shows that multiple undercover police officers spied on anti-arms trade campaigners, incl Campaign Against #ArmsTrade (#CAAT), because of the financial importance of the industry to the British state”
Yemen: UN report
September 2019
UN Human Rights Council publishes a report yesterday (3 September 2019) on human rights infringements by Britain France and USA
The UN’s panel of eminent experts on Yemen has today published a damning report on the activities of the UK government and others into the atrocities being committed in Yemen. They conclude that international human rights law has been infringed. The most damning conclusion is:
The Experts found reasonable grounds to believe that the conduct of hostilities by the parties to the conflict, including by airstrikes and shelling, continued to have an extreme impact on civilians and many of these attacks may amount to serious violations of international humanitarian law. The Experts further found reasonable grounds to believe that, in addition to violations related to the conduct of hostilities, the parties to the armed conflict in Yemen are responsible for arbitrary deprivation of the right to life, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, torture, ill-treatment, child recruitment, violations of fundamental freedoms, and violations of economic, social and cultural rights. These amount to violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as applicable. Subject to determination by an independent and competent court, many of these violations may result in individuals being held responsible for war crimes.
The Campaign Against the Arms Trade has waged a long legal battle with the UK government which was successful in June persuading the Court of Appeal that the Secretary of State’s actions were ‘irrational and therefore unlawful.’
Further background on the UN report can be found in a Guardian article 3 September.
Another extract from the report details activities we have previously highlighted:
The report notes that coalition air strikes have caused most direct civilian casualties. The airstrikes have hit residential areas, markets, funerals, weddings, detention facilities, civilian boats and even medical facilities. Based on the incidents they examined, the Group of Experts have reasonable grounds to believe that individuals in the Government of Yemen and the coalition may have conducted attacks in violation of the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution that may amount to war crimes.
“There is little evidence of any attempt by parties to the conflict to minimize civilian casualties. I call on them to prioritise human dignity in this forgotten conflict,” said Kamel Jendoubi, chairperson of the Group of International and Regional Eminent Experts on Yemen.
The UN report can be accessed here.
If you live in the Salisbury, South Wilts/North Dorset area we would and would like to join us, you would be very welcome. The best thing is to keep an eye on this site or our Facebook and Twitter pages and come to an event.
#armsSales #ArmsTrade #CAAT #UK #UnHumanRightsCouncil #UN #Yemen
Who’s who in the War Profiteers zoo, without much ado:
https://caat.org.uk/data/companies/
Latest arms trade news
Latest CAAT newsletter reveals UK role in killing around the world
January 2026
The Winter 2025 edition of the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) news discusses the many issues to do with the supply of arms by the UK and others internationally. The government frequently claims to employ ‘robust’ measures to control the trade which has much potential to cause misery around the world, but the facts seem to suggest otherwise: CAAT reveals the top two purchasers of weapons are two nations which have abysmal human rights records. In the period 2020 – 2025, the top country for our weapons was Saudi Arabia at £6.4bn and second was Qatar at £4.1bn. Further down the list, is UAE at £825m.
All these countries do not permit opposition to exist, torture is widely practised, human rights lawyers and activists are routinely arrested, and women are not equal citizens. Foreign workers are treated dreadfully and the gleaming towers which feature in their promotional videos involve the deaths of many hundreds of indentured labourers.
Needless to say, Israel features and the UK governments continued support for arms sales despite the genocide taking place there. Interestingly, they report that Spain has ceased all arms sales and Germany likewise. It had been reported that the German Chancellor has reduced sales but CAAT report that no new exports have been approved.
The claim by the UK government that it has ‘robust’ controls is contradicted by the use of the secretive Open General Export Licences (OGEL). Looking at the list of restricted destinations [accessed 23 January] one finds that Israel is not listed. CAAT say that around half our exports to Israel are by this method.
Revolving door
The scandal of the revolving door continues. This concerns senior individuals in government or the forces taking up roles for arms companies following their retirement. There is a set of rules, which are largely sidestepped, to prevent abuse by people using their contacts to further the interests of the arms companies. These are set to be abolished this year and a new system introduced following a long list of scandals. We await to see how effective the new system will be. CAAT reveals the names of two new entrants to this hall of shame: Sir Simon Bollom, Head of the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support, and Sir Mark Poffley formerly Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff. They will be joining Elbit Systems the Israeli arms firm which has facilities in the UK. They can use their influence to promote the interests of Elbit Systems. CAAT say there is no suggestion of impropriety.
A lengthy Private Eye report on this corruption, lists many names of politicians and others involved.
RAF flights over Gaza
The RAF continues to overfly GAZA and there are reports that the information gathered is being used to assist the Israeli IDF. The Ministry of Defence maintains that these flights were “solely to locate hostages,” yet the scale, timing and persistence of the flights raises questions as to how much they aided Israel’s military operations despite being conducted under the banner of humanitarian intent. It is not clear that any hostages were identified by the RAF.
The CAAT newsletter, together with previous newsletters and reports, paints a picture of the UK government which is more interested in supporting sales of weapons as part of its growth policy, than in the humanitarian effects these weapons have on the millions who suffer from their use. The high use of open licences means few meaningful controls are in place. They also proudly promote and support the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) each year in London with the innocent sounding claim that it ‘promotes the UK’s defence ethos, agenda and leadership while encouraging opportunity and cooperation with our global allies‘. (Source, DSEI 2027 Home page).
The sums involved are large and defence (defense) firms are a key part in some local economies. Controls based on a sense of moral purpose and a proper exercise of end user certificates would curtail their activities and hence employment. It is a tail wagging a somewhat compliant dog.
Previous posts
I've just signed this #petition - you might like to, too.
#British weapons are fuelling #Sudan’s #genocide through #arms exports to the #UAE. End the massacres and forced starvation of the Sudanese people now!
October https://www.declassifieduk.org/us-arms-firm-secures-ban-on-palestine-protests-in-britain/
September
https://www.declassifieduk.org/uk-aerospace-firm-supplying-israels-defence-ministry/
https://www.declassifieduk.org/what-is-the-f-35-fighter-jet-israel-uses-to-bomb-gaza-and-iran/
#CAAT #directaction #Elbit #F35 #Gaza #LockheedMartin #Militaryindustrialcomplex #Moog #Palestine #Wolverhampton
Large crowd attends 100th vigil
Around 90 attend the 100th vigil
November 2025
It is astonishing to report that around 90 people attended the silent vigil in Salisbury’s market place. There have been a few occasions over the past 2 years when we have considered stopping, usually after a ceasefire or peace initiative when some might have believed that the killing was over. The recent ceasefire was no exception with a huge amount of fanfare from President Trump supported by a degree of pressure on Israel to stop. Well, it hasn’t lasted with over 100 killed on Tuesday and the creation of a semi-permanent line being established taking yet more territory from Gaza. Hamas have returned the remaining live hostages and Israel has released 250 prisoners and 1,700 ‘detainees’.
There are arguments about the remaining dead hostages with Hamas claiming that they are finding it difficult to locate them in the rubble. As Israel will not allow foreign journalists into Gaza, truth is hard to determine but it would seem probable that Hamas’s account is likely.
We put detainees in inverted commas because the hostages taken by Hamas on their violent raid on October 7th two years ago received, rightly, considerable coverage and few will be unaware of the numbers killed or taken. Media coverage has consistently used the word ‘hostage’ for those taken by Hamas. Those taken by Israel – in considerably larger numbers and who were subject to horrific treatment and torture – are referred to as ‘detainees’. British media has continued with this fiction since the conflict began.
The death toll in Gaza is nearly 69,000.
That such large numbers turn out on a Saturday evening is a testimony to the strongly held convictions about many aspects of the conflict. Whilst acknowledging the brutal nature of Hamas and the horrific attack on October 7th, the destruction of Gaza, the imposition of a food and medicine blockade and the wanton killing of women and children has profoundly shocked many. The British government’s continued support for Israel – directly and covertly – has also produced great anger.
UK arms sales reached a record level in June and the notion that the UK has ‘robust’ measures to control such sales is in tatters according to Campaign Against the Arms Trade. Exact details are impossible to determine as the licensing is vague and because of secrecy. The plain fact is that we continue to supply arms and overfly Gaza despite the appalling carnage that has taken place there.
One hundred vigils and no sign of the local MP Mr John Glen at any of them nor any mention in his weekly piece in the Salisbury Journal. Mr Glen is thought to be a member of Conservative Friends of Israel.
A short video is available here thanks to Peter Gloyns. We shall be back (sadly) on November 8th.
Simplified Accessibility Testing, right from your browser?! 💡🔍
I designed and coded this little landing page to showcase all the #accessibility browser #bookmarklets powered by #CAAT and created by my wonderful team here at mindscreen.
Take a look: https://tools.caat.report/
Perhaps one of these bookmarklets could be integrated into your #a11y #testing process? 👀
Only 1 month to go until #TestConEurope! 💻😎
Watch the short video introduction of my talk and join me in Vilnius from October 21st to 24th 2025 🎙️
If you're interested in learning more about #testing software products for #accessibility, come and find me at the conference. I'd be happy to share some insights and tips, and chat about #CAAT — our software to test digital products for accessibility in a structured and efficient way. I'll also bring some free buttons!🐱
Palestinian state recognised
UK recognises the state of Palestine
September 2025
Today, 21 September, the UK government announces that it is to recognise the state of Palestine. It has joined the majority of countries around the world and joins Canada and Australia who did the same today. The decision has come after months of hesitation and was delayed until after the visit to the UK by President Trump who does not agree with it. To an extent, the government’s hand was forced. The disproportionate response to the horrific attack by Hamas on October 7th with the destruction of huge parts of Gaza, a death toll now over 65,000 many or whom are women and children and the deliberate introduction of siege conditions leading to more deaths by starvation, has left the government little option but to take action. Public opinion has also been a factor and the images of emaciated children have horrified many.
Britain’s decision is more than symbolic since the 1917 Balfour Declaration was instrumental in the creation of the state of Israel. The declaration was vague however since although it recognised that Arabs and Palestinians already lived there and said ‘nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine‘ it made no provision for protecting their claims or rights.
Some argue this is symbolic since with American support and ever increasing violence by settlers in the West Bank, the prospects of an actual state on the ground are receding. Some suggest that this means the conditions for statehood as set out in the 1933 Montevideo convention are not achievable. The Israeli government has rejected the decision saying ‘it categorically rejects the one-sided declaration of a Palestinian state by the UK and some other countries.’ It claims the decision does not promote peace. A spokesman for the British Board of Deputies interviewed on the BBC was critical of the decision and said it would cause deep dismay across the Jewish community in the UK. It says it is a reward for Hamas violence.
Implications
What are the implications? It will take some while for the implications to percolate through the claims and counter claims of the various political interests. It will enable the Palestinians to open an Embassy in the UK which will improve their status. It will enjoy diplomatic rights which will be significant. Up until recently, the Israelis have enjoyed almost uncritical support from governments but its continued violence in the West Bank and Gaza is seeing that support melt away.
It is unlikely to bring a peace deal any closer. Wars end because a kind of exhaustion sets in and the population goes weary of war-time restrictions and the loss of soldiers. This shows no sign of applying in Israel. Seemingly limitless weapons supplies from America and a huge military advantage in weapons and materiel mean any exhaustion is a long way off. IDF deaths are modest 464 [Jewish News Syndicate, 18 September]. The far right members of the Knesset such as Bezalel Smotrich see Gaza as a ‘property bonanza’ and claim the ‘demolition phase is over’.
Recognition will make it harder for the UK government to continue its support of Israel – open and covert – with RAF overflights for example, and ignore the plight of the Palestinians. It may even see some more robust reporting from the BBC whose lamentable performance has slowly begun to change.
Amnesty has said it is a ‘hollow gesture’ and without meaningful action to end the genocide, end violence in the West Bank and ending the Apartheid system against the Palestinian people. Real action needs to be taken to end arms sales and divest from companies which continue to sell arms to Israel. A report by CAAT sets out the details of arms export to Israel.
Obscure_Rebel has moved!
Amnesty in Salisbury & South Wiltshire
Peter Riley
Swift
Daniela Kubesch