Ethical Topics - anti-war : Veterans For Peace UK OUGD505

Veterans for Peace UK

Voluntary ex-services organisation of men and women, who collectively have served in wars that Britain fought in since World War Two. VFP say 'war is not the solution to the problems we face in the 21st century'. VFP belong within a wider international movement that began in the USA in 1985. VFP UK formed in 2011, their first movement happened on august 6th with a solidarity vigil outside Colchester Military Prison for Micael Lyons in refusing to deploy to Afghanistan and also to encourage non-violent means of resistance to that war from within the military. In 2014 VFP Uk was presented with a recognition award by the Islamic Human Rights Council.

VFP Statement of Purpose

We, as Military Veterans, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this and we will work with others both nationally and internationally.

1. To increase public awareness of the causes and costs of War.
2. To restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations.
3. To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons.
4. To seek justice for Veterans and victims of war.
5. To abolish war as an instrument of national policy. 

To achieve these goals, members of veterans for peace pledge to use non-violent means and to maintain an organisation that is both democratic and open with understanding, that as members are trusted to act in the best interests of the group for the larger purpose of world peace. 

This map shows the countries coloured pink, are the countries invaded by military forces commanded by the UK and its predecessor states. Only 22 countries in the world have not been invaded by UK military forces and its predecessor states, these are in white.

The VFP believe that the UK is a warfare state and a prime driver of war in the world.

The UK is one of only nine nuclear-armed states in the world.

The UK is one of the five largest global arms exporters.

The UK is second only to the USA in terms of the number of lethal drone strikes executed.

The UK is one of just 18 countries that still recruit children into their armed forces. 

The UK military is deployed in over 80 countries worldwide.

The UK maintains permanent military bases in 14 countries and overseas territories.

The USA has six military bases on UK soil and access to many military and intelligence installations

The VFP statement of intent  

Through their actions, they will embolden the population to:

• Reject Militarism 
• Deman nuclear disarmament 
• Abandon the Arms trade
• Expel all foreign forces from the UK
• Close all UK foreign bases and return all UK military to the British Isles

'We intend to liberate the people, resources and environment of the UK from the war system.'

The VFP statement of conduct

• 'We will use our anger at injustice as a positive, non-violent force for change'
• 'We will not assault, verbally or physically, in person or online, those who oppose or disagree with us, even if they assault us.'
• 'Our attitude, as conveyed through our words, symbols and actions, will be one of openness, friendliness and respect toward all people we encounter.'
• 'We use consensus-based decision making within our groups'
• 'We reject military clothing and symbols'
• 'We speak as members OF the VFP UK not FOR the VFP UK, unless designated as a spokesperson.'
• 'Rank, Unit, Combat experience, age, gender, race, wealth, education, class, religion and nationally carry no status in the VFP.'

Amendments to the VFP UK statement of conduct saw the adding of two more rules.

• Sexist, racist, homophobic and other discriminatory language and actions are common within the military, they are not acceptable in the VFP.
• Our words and actions will maintain the political and financial independence of VFP UK.

Contact Details if needed to approach for more information -

Policy group - policy-group@VFPUK.org

John Bourton - chair@VFPUK.org

Kathryn Piquette - Conference@VFPUK.org

Ben Griffin - Coord@VFPUK.org

Research Group 

Phillip Clarke - Research@VFPUK.org

VFP Priority Campaigns 

Boycott the war system.

'It our intention to devise and build a campaign to boycott the war system within the UK.'

End child endangerment by HM armed forces.

The UK is one of just 18 countries worldwide that still recruits children into the armed forces. HM armed forces also engage with young people to gain influence, also engage with the aim of building uncritical support for the armed forces and the wars they fight.

The strategy is sophisticated and conducted through many different means including, community engagement teams, cadet forces, online engagement, school visits, military charities, computer games, toys, films, councils and businesses.

It is the aim of the VFP UK to counter and undermine the child engagement strategy of HM armed forces and eventually deny them access to children. 

Currently campaigning with Forces Watch, Child Soldiers International and others to have the recruitment age for the British Army raised to 18. 

Stop Trident Renewals.

The UK is one of just nine Nuclear armed states. To use these weapons would mean the end of life as we know it. Just holding these weapons makes the UK a target of other Nuclear armed states. These weapons and their maintenance represent a huge diversion of resources away from the needs of the people. VFP UK is actively involved with CND in the Stop Trident Renewal Campaign.

Shut Down The Arms Fair.

The UK is one of the five largest global arms exporters, every two years London hosts Europes largest arms fair. The arms trade is a key component of the war system and a driver of war around the world. VFP UK is actively involved in the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) and East London Against the Arms Fair (ELAAF) in campaigning to shut down the DSE: Arms Fair.

Definitions 

War System

- The war system consists of every institution and individual who accepts war and preparation for war as a means to achieve status, power and wealth. 

Warfare State

- All States hold a monopoly of violence, within their borders, those that dont are called failed or failing states. Most states have some capacity to defend their borders from external threats, usually other states.

-Warfare states have the capacity to defend their monopoly of violence beyond their own borders.

Consensus Based Decision Making

- A way of reaching agreement between all members of a group. Instead of simply voting for an item and having the majority of the group getting their way, a consensus group is committed to finding solutions that everyone actively supports - or at least can live with. This process makes sure that all opinions, ideas and concerns are taken into account. By listening closely to each other, the group aims to come up with proposals that work for everyone. 

Advice for Action Groups

- Meet on a regular basis 

- If possible base meetings around events and actions

- Identify ways to challenge the War System in your areas

- Send in reports of your upcoming and completed actions to be published online or in print

- Build links with local peace groups. 

- Maintain political and financial independence 

- Provide mutual support to other VFP action groups

"Everyones worried about stopping terrorism, well there's really an easy way: stop participating in it." - Noam Chomsky