Aims, Constitution & Code of Conduct

Aims

The Stop the War Coalition was formed on September 21st, 2001 at a public meeting of over 2,000 people in London. The platform statement above was ratified at public meetings held in October 2001 in London.

  1. The aim of the Coalition should be very simple: to stop the war currently declared by the United States and its allies against ‘terrorism’. We condemn the attacks on New York and we feel the greatest compassion for those who lost their life on 11th September 2001. But any war will simply add to the numbers of innocent dead, cause untold suffering, political and economic instability on a global scale, increase racism and result in attacks on civil liberties. The aims of the campaign would be best expressed in the name Stop the War Coalition.
  2. Supporters of the Coalition, whether organisations or individuals, will of course be free to develop their own analyses and organise their own actions. But there will be many important occasions when united initiatives around broad stop the war slogans can mobilise the greatest numbers.
  3. The Coalition shall elect a steering committee which reflects the breadth of those involved to carry forward the aims and objectives. Local groups should have regular, open and inclusive meetings.
  4. We call on all peace activists and organisations, trade unionists, campaigners and labour movement organisations to join with us in building a mass movement that can stop the drive to war.
  5. We are committed to opposing any racist backlash generated by this war. We will fight to stop the erosion of civil rights.

Constitution

Objectives

  1. The objectives of the Coalition are as set out in its founding statement of aims, as may be amended by its national conference as it considers appropriate.

Affiliation

  1. The Coalition is open to the affiliation of any organisation that accepts those objectives, and of any local Coalition that works in support of them, on payment of an affiliation fee as laid down by conference.

Individual Membership

  1. Any individual may become a member of the Coalition who supports its objectives and pays an annual subscription as laid down by conference.

Conference

  1. The Steering Committee of the Coalition shall convene a national conference not less than once every eighteen months.
  2. The Conference shall be convened on a representative and equitable basis, with the basis for representation to be determined by the Steering Committee.
  3. The Conference shall have the power to decide changes to the Coalition’s statement of aims, and adopt any resolutions appropriate to the Coalition’s work which may be submitted by affiliated organisations or local Coalitions.
  4. The conference shall receive a financial report from the Steering Committee, and shall elect the Steering Committee.

Steering Committee

  1. The Steering Committee shall be responsible for directing the national work of the Coalition in line with its objectives. It shall set national guidelines for the Coalition’s political work, ensure that proper accounts are maintained and shall supervise the office of the Coalition and any employees.
  2. The Steering Committee shall elect such officers, in addition to the Chair, Convenor and Treasurer directly elected by Conference, as it feels necessary to ensure the discharge of these responsibilities and to conduct the day-to-day work of the Coalition.

Code of Conduct

We ask all members and those active on behalf of Stop the War Coalition to abide by the following code of conduct:

We want all Stop the War Coalition members and participants to feel respected and comfortable in the movement.

Healthy debate plays an important part in our activities, but it’s possible for debate to get out of hand. No matter how passionately you feel there is never an excuse to be abusive or aggressive.

Any volunteers or individuals who campaign on behalf of Stop the War Coalition at any level of the organisation must be treated with respect and consideration.

We take the issue of equal opportunities very seriously. At all our events we aim to create an environment that is accessible to everyone and one that is free from discrimination and prejudice.

Any discriminatory comments, including, but not limited to: sexist, racist, Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, homophobic, transphobic, ageist or disablist comments, are not allowed, even if you don’t mean to offend. This stands for all communications on behalf of Stop the War including any social media posts and emails.

The national officers will investigate and act upon formal complaints made, including having the power to suspend/remove membership or affiliation. Such decisions are final, unless appealed during the Annual General Meeting.

Anti-War Charter

Passed at Stop the War’s 15th anniversary conference on 08/10/16:

After fifteen years of catastrophe it is time to end Britain’s involvement in wars of aggression. While the electoral choices look bleak in the US, we have the opportunity to send an anti-war message around the world by committing to a sharp change in direction, including an end to new interventions and a withdrawal of troops from the Middle East, Central Asia and beyond.

  1. An end to foreign policy based on Washington’s global ambitions or on a junior imperial role for Britain.
  2. Recognition of the illegality of wars for regime change and the rights of peoples to self-determination and to oppose foreign occupations.
  3. No war by executive decision of the cabinet.
  4. Action to be taken against those found to have misled parliament and the people in the run up to the Iraq War by the Chilcot report, and a recognition that the series of foreign wars have made the world a more dangerous place.
  5. Withdrawal of all British troops, including special forces from Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries.
  6. Opposition to all military interventions and an effort to end the war in Syria rather than escalate.
  7. An independent investigation into Britain’s involvement in extraordinary rendition during the War on Terror.
  8. An end to military support and arms sales to countries involved in foreign military aggression or domestic repression, including Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
  9. An immediate initiative to de-escalate tension with Russia, including the withdrawal of all British troops from Eastern Europe and the Baltic, and opposition to the Eastard expansion of NATO.
  10. Freedom for Palestine and an end to illegal settlements and the siege of Gaza.

After fifteen years of catastrophe it is time to end Britain’s involvement in wars of aggression. While the electoral choices look bleak in the US, we have the opportunity to send an anti-war message around the world by committing to a sharp change in direction, including an end to new interventions and a withdrawal of troops from the Middle East, Central Asia and beyond.