CND at 60 book launch

CND General Secretary Kate Hudson launched her new book, CND at 60: Britain’s most enduring mass movement, at Friends House in London. In conversation with Victoria Brittain, she discussed what prompted her to update CND’s history and read passages from her book before answering audience questions.

The launch date – 8 March, International Women’s Day – was well chosen. Women have played an important role in CND and the wider peace movement from the very beginning. This includes London CND’s own Pat Arrowsmith, nowadays a CND UK Vice Chair, an organiser of the first march to Aldermaston and prominent in the Committee of 100.

You can purchase a copy of the book here. 

London CND joins Saudi visit protest

LRCND committee members Helen and Hannah

London CND was out in force on 7 March to protest Mohammad bin Salman’s state visit at the invitation of Theresa May, including London CND Vice Chair Hannah Kemp-Welch and EC Member Helen Toomey pictured here. Hundreds of protesters gathered at Downing Street to say ‘Crown Prince Not Welcome’.

Shadow International Development Secretary Kate Osamor spoke at the rally, as did MPs Andy Slaughter, Chris Williamson, and others. The Green Party was represented by Deputy Leader Amelia Womack, and Sinn Fein by Joe Dwyer. Earlier in the day Jeremy Corbyn made a strong statement in parliament denouncing Saudi’s abysmal human rights record.

The arms that Britain sells to Saudi Arabia have been used in its war on Yemen, a war that’s sparked what the UN describes as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. As Defence Minister, the Crown Prince has led that war. When the Prime Minister Theresa May invited him over, an ad hoc committee got together, including London CND Chair, Carol Turner, to organise a series of activities in opposition to the visit.

These included a parliamentary petition calling for the invitation to be withdrawn which attracted 11,863 signatures. Under parliamentary rules the government is required to respond if a petition is supported by 10,000 people. In response, the Foreign Office issued a statement claiming, among other things:

• ‘Regular engagement is a vital part of our strong relationship with Saudi Arabia, which is important for mutual security and prosperity and includes meaningful discussion on reform and human rights’;

• ‘The longstanding partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UK has helped make both of our countries safer and more prosperous’;

• ‘The Crown Prince has embarked on a series of reforms to modernise society and the economy’; and

• ‘Our starting point for engagement on human rights with all countries is based on what is practical, realistic and achievable…’

The ad hoc committee issued a repudiation. You can read both on the Stop the War website.

Green Party Deputy Leader Amelia Womack

The success of the committee shows what can be achieved when peace organisations come together with progressive Arab organisations.

The committee included Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Global Justice, Peace Pledge Union, Stop the War and War on Want, as well Arab Organisation for Human Rights UK, the Bahrain Opposition Bloc, BIRD, Human Rights for Yemen, Iraqi Democrats, Sheba for Democracy and Human Rights, Stop the War. Its success in part lies in the collaboration between UK peace organisations and progressive groups from the region. Watch this space for news of futher action.

Campaigners Rebut British Government Defence of Saudi Crown Prince Visit

Theresa May has invited the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to visit Britain on the 7th-9th March. Bin Salman is the second most senior member of the Saudi regime. He currently oversees the bombing of Yemen, which has caused what the UN has called "the worst humanitarian crisis in the world". The Saudi regime has supported repression in Bahrain, imposed a blockade on Qatar, and detained the Lebanese Prime Minister.

A parliamentary petition urging the government to cancel the visit has attracted over 11,500 signatures, which means it qualified for a debated in parliament. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office made a response claiming that that engagement with the Saudi dictatorship has made ‘both of our countries safer and more prosperous’ and asserting that human rights must be ‘practical, realistic and achievable’.  You can read the response and the reply from groups opposing the visit here. 

 Early Day Motion 865 on the proposed visit has been supported by a number of Labour MPs. Ask your local MP to do likewise. You can read the motion and list of supporters here.