About the Campagne tegen Wapenhandel?

The Campagne tegen Wapenhandel (Campaign against Arms Trade) was founded in 1998 to fight one of the root causes of war: arms production and arms trade. We are a small, politically independent organisation. The core of our work is researched-based campaigning. We work with media, grass roots activists, peace- and solidarity organisations and progressive politicians. We publish Dutch as well as English research reports and articles. Because we think information about arms trade should be transparent, we publish our information on our website and Facebook pages.

2005: protest at  ITEC arms fair 2006: protest at bank office against financing of arms export 2007: demonstration against Joint Strike Fighter

State arms export support

The Dutch state is a big arms exporter by itself and delivers high-quality second hand equipement all over the world, for example to Chile. Second hand Dutch military equipment turned up in Bahrain and Egypt during the Arab Spring, when civilian protesters were confronted by army and security forces.

European governments support the arms trade with export credit guarantees. Because arms trade is not included in the EU or WTO treaties it can receive state support. The Campagne tegen Wapenhandel is opposing government support for arms export.

Partly due to our campaigns arms control and transparency of information on Dutch arms exports has increased. The Campagne tegen Wapenhandel wants an end to arms exports to dictatorships and to conflict regions.

International network against arms trade

Because the arms industry works internationally we also work internationally. Campagne tegen Wapenhandel is an active member of the European Network Against Arms Trade (ENAAT). We want a strict interpretation of the Common EU position on Arms Export which sets ethical standards but is interpreted as it suits governments, depending on economical, political and military interests.

2008: Schiphol airport against arms to Israel

2010: picketline at arms industry conference 2011: at EADS shareholders meeting

Support us

We work low budget and without government support. We are very dependent on small funders and donations to secure our political independence.

You can support the Campagne tegen Wapenhandel with a donation on Triodos bank account 39.04.07.380 att. n.v. Campagne tegen Wapenhandel, Amsterdam. Add for international transfers
IBAN = NL11TRIO0390407380
BIC =  TRIONL2U

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News on international arms trade, based on our constant research and information from our internatiuonal network. Subscribe to our Explosive Stuff weblog and receive regular updates of our posts.