Anti-war

CND has consistently backed solutions to conflict and complex problems based on dialogue and justice and has been at the forefront of anti-war campaigning since the ‘war on terror’ was declared.

Most notably we were one of the organisers of the global day of action against war on Iraq on 15th February 2003 and we have continued to take a strong position against that war and related military interventions over the years since then. CND worked with a legal team which, among other things, took the government to court to ask for an advisory opinion on the legality of using Resolution 1441 as a pretext for war. CND believed that war crimes were committed in Iraq, and we sought to bring those responsible to justice.

CND has opposed military action in Afghanistan, Syria and Libya in the knowledge that innocent civilians will end up paying the price of western military intervention. We recognise that war against Iran – spoken of in some quarters – would be a disaster for the region and the wider world. 

CND is also increasingly concerned about drone attacks killing innocent people and promoting conflict. The US is the main user but the UK is following its lead without public debate or consultation. Thousands of people have been assassinated by drones with no chance to make a case for their innocence or lives. Some sources suggest that a third to a half of all casualties from drones strikes are civilians who are caught up in the attacks, including hundreds of children.