Militarism and repression
Many companies thrive off war and conflict by supplying weapons that kill and maim, by financing war efforts, or by running mercenary armies. The global arms trade supports repressive regimes, fuels wars and armed violence, and reinforces global oppression and inequality.
Multinational mining companies are buying up land across the planet to extract natural resources, contracting state forces, private mercenary companies, and even illegal paramilitary groups to protect their interests and repress local opposition. Their operations have forced communities from their own land, polluted the environment, and led to widespread human rights violations.
We pressure the UK government to stop approving billions of pounds worth of arms exports to human rights abusing regimes. We stand with our partners and all human rights defenders in the Global South in the fight for their land and livelihoods, and we hold UK-based mining companies to account for the violence they inflict on communities.
Take action today
Stand with Peru’s Indigenous communities — against state violence
Peru’s mass protests have become a human rights crisis. At least 39 people have been killed by the state. Demand Peruvians right to protest is protected.
Stand with Peru's marginalised majority
Siemens Gamesa: Stop the plunder
Siemens Gamesa are profiting from Morocco’s plunder of illegally occupied land & violent repression of the people of Western Sahara.
Say no to greenwashing occupation
The UK must stop arming repression
Pressure the government to end its trade in arms with human rights abusing regimes.
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“They’d kill me if I went back to Colombia”
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Partners
Action for Ecology and People’s Emancipation (AEER), Indonesia
Action for Ecology and People’s Emancipation (AEER) is an environmental NGO that struggles for improvements in the management of natural resources to help build sustainable relationships between communities and their environment. It undertakes research and defends the rights of communities negatively impacted by extractivist policies and companies.
Association for Social Research and Action (Nomadesc), Colombia
In Colombia, more than five million people have been forced from their homes by violence and extreme poverty, made refugees in their own country. Rural Colombians have lost huge swathes of land. This humanitarian crisis and the needs of displaced people are well known in Colombia. The Social Research and Action Association (Asociacion para la investigacion y la accion social – Nomadesc) works to fix this massive disadvantage. By bringing these vulnerable groups together, Nomadesc unites and raises the voices of these communities. By strengthening the ties between the groups and giving them the tools to defend their human rights, communities are better able to protect themselves from violence and displacement. War on Want has supported Nomadesc in their work investigating violations of human rights and working to strengthen social movements through popular education initiatives.
Networks
Dismantle Corporate Power
London Mining Network
Resources
Judge, Jury, and Occupier
Israel's military court system in the occupied West Bank
Deadly Investments
UK banks and financial institutions facilitate and profit from Israel's militarism, making them complicit in Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people.
Arming Repression: The new British Imperialism in the Persian Gulf
The UK government is playing a key role in arming repression throughout the Persian Gulf, making a mockery of any commitment to democracy and human rights, according to a new report published by War on Want.