Anti-war
CND's core strategic objectives include campaigning for the 'Prevention and cessation of wars in which the nuclear weapons of Britain or other countries might be used.'
Since 2001, CND has opposed the US's so-called 'war on terror' and backed solutions to conflict and complex problems based on dialogue and justice. CND's Annual Conference took place just a few days after the terrible atrocities of September 11th and the conference was overwhelmingly united in condemning the terrorism, but also in condemning state terrorism. CND's view was that the criminals who perpetrated the crime should be brought to justice, but we completely opposed plans to launch a NATO-led military attack on Afghanistan in response. The deaths of thousands of innocent Afghani civilians have not been a just response and neither they nor the continuing war on that country have provided a solution to any problem facing Afghanistan or the wider international community.
In the forefront
Since that time, CND has been in the forefront of anti-war campaigning, working closely on these issues with its allies in the Stop the War Coalition, the Muslim Association of Britain and the British Muslim Initiative. Together we have organised dozens of national demonstrations against war and occupation. CND has also linked with peace and anti-war campaigns internationally, to coordinate international opposition - such as the global day of action against war on Iraq on 15th February 2003. Up to two million people were mobilised in the UK on that day, and millions more around the world.
The war on Iraq - legal initiatives
CND took a strong position against the war on Iraq. In December 2002, we took the government to court to ask for an advisory opinion on the legality of using Resolution 1441 as a pretext for war. This was comprehensively argued by Rabinder Singh QC and Charlotte Kilroy (see Nov 02 opinion and the judgement given) acting for CND.
The same CND legal team also produced an opinion on why the proposed draft '2nd resolution' would not give legal authority to go to war (see Feb 03 opinion). They also produced an opinion on the Attorney General's use of Resolutions 678, 687 and 1441 to authorise the war, both on the eve of war and after it became clear that weapons of mass destruction were not being found in Iraq (see June 03 opinion).
For further detailed information on the legal issues concerning war in Iraq, read The Case Against War.
CND believed that war crimes were committed in Iraq, and we sought to bring those responsible to justice. Even before the war had started CND joined a coalition of law professors and leading NGOs to serve notice on Blair, Hoon and Straw that they would be investigated by the ICC Prosecutor if the UK breached International Humanitarian Law (IHL) during any proposed use of force against Iraq.
Leading international law experts brought together by Peacerights, a UK-based NGO, submitted a report recommending that the UK government should be investigated for war crimes in Iraq (see the Executive Summary). The full report was sent to the ICC for consideration. The Attorney General was also asked to investigate, but rejected the proposal.
Don't attack Iran
We work to oppose any attacks on Iran. We do not believe that military interventions, which overwhelmingly affect innocent civilians, are the right way to deal with complex regional problems, or with concerns about potential nuclear proliferation. We support UN resolutions – over many decades – calling for a nuclear weapons free zone in the Middle East.
CND welcomes a report by the Scientists for Global Responsibility emphasising the danger of military action: the report explains that a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities would kill large numbers of civilians, result in regional war, and incite Iran to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and ensure their acquisition of nuclear weapons.
