Britain’s largest arms manufacturer, BAE Systems, may think they have slipped free of serious sanction by agreeing a plea bargain with the Serious Fraud Office.
But campaigners at Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) have hit upon a novel way to bring these alleged corporate criminals to justice. A website, BAE: The People’s Jury, has been set up to invite members of the public to air their views on BAE’s activities.
The website includes useful information on BAE’s activities and invites comments from interested members of the public. It already features hard-hitting contributions from prominent US academic Mike Koehler and anti-corruption campaigner and former ANC MP Andrew Feinstein, whose blog details how BAE’s dealings have undermined South Africa’s fledgling democracy.
BAE: The People’s Jury is open to everybody and all are invited to contribute their thoughts.
CAAT is also hoping that supporters will join them on 5 May, the day of BAE’s AGM. A People’s Jury will chase an effigy of BAE Chairman Dick Olver from the headquarters of the government’s arms sales department (UKTI DSO) to the AGM venue at QEII Conference Centre in Westminster.
Campaigners hope that the People’s Jury campaign will result in a major embarrassment for BAE’s board as campaigners pose tough questions at the AGM.
More details on the day’s events are available on BAE: The People’s Jury website.
For further comment please contact CAAT’s Media Co-ordinator on 020 7281 0297 or 07990 673232 or email media(at)caat·org·uk.
Notes
Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) works for the reduction and ultimate abolition of the international arms trade together with progressive demilitarisation within arms producing countries.
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