News

CO Stone inscription

BBC broadcast anti-war music by pacifist composer… But we can't say so

A highlight of this year's Proms Concerts season was a performance of the War Requiem, a large-scale work by renowned 20th Century British composer Benjamin Britten (Prom 37, Saturday 17th August).
 

Weapons for war crimes, climate destruction and extreme noise pollution: Just a normal day at the Farnborough International Airshow

As military planes roared over the Farnborough International Airshow – the very same planes currently bombing Gaza – peace campaigners and local residents gathered outside to show their disgust at the arms trade.

Child handling a weapon at Armed Forces Day event

Declining interest in Armed Forces Day welcomed by peace campaigners

Joint press release by ForcesWatch and the Peace Pledge Union

Peace campaigners have welcomed the news that there will be no national event for Armed Forces Day this year, as no local councils have come forward to host it.

D-Day landings

D-Day 80th anniversary is a time for reflection on the human cost of war, not celebration

On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, peace campaigners have called for remembrance of all victims of war in a spirit of reflection, rather than celebration.

War is a crime against humanity: Returning to the Peace Pledge amid escalating violence and insecurity

Currently, we seem to be confronted by increasingly dire and desperate news on a daily basis. The recent airstrike by Israeli forces in Rafah, the growing risk of genocide in Sudan, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and now further US-UK air strikes in Yemen.

troops and police on streets

Pacifists pledge to resist national service, if scheme is implemented

British pacifists have said they will refuse to join or in any way support the military under the Tories’ plans to reintroduce national service, if the scheme is ever implemented.

Semih Sapmaz speaking on CO Day 2024

Refusing to Kill: Why we should listen to the voices of conscientious objectors

Earlier this year, when the head of the British army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, called for a “citizen army” to prepare for a ground war with Russia, military conscription was suddenly in the headlines, pushed by right-wing commentators and hawkish politicians.

CO Stone inscription

Israeli refusenik calls for an end to the persecution of conscientious objectors worldwide

An Israeli conscientious objector, due to speak at an event in London today to mark International Conscientious Objectors' Day, has called for support and solidarity for conscientious objectors facing persecution around the world.

British tank

Sunak accused of inflaming global tensions with 'war footing' military spending plan

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been accused of ramping up global tensions with his pledge to increase UK military spending by £75bn over six years.

Welsh white poppy

Peace activists call on new First Minister of Wales to follow his “moral duty to act as a force for peace”

On the day that Vaughan Gething’s appointment as First Minister of Wales is confirmed, Welsh members of the Peace Pledge Union have urged him to “strive to make Wales a beacon of peace which can provide an example to the rest of the world”.

Troop and police officer on street

Say No to Conscription: PPU Statement on Army Chief's Call for a 'Citizen Army'

General Sir Patrick Sanders' call for a 'citizen army', raising the prospect of military conscription, reflect the increasingly aggressive militarism of the UK political establishment, as well as the broader rise of everyday militarism in the UK.

Reckless escalation: British pacifists condemn US-UK attack on Houthis in Yemen

British pacifists have called the attack by the US and UK on Houthi targets in Yemen a dangerous and irresponsible escalation in a conflict that threatens to engulf the Middle East.

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