We, the undersigned, want the following changes at the University of York:

1) To be given a platform at all future careers fairs to provide the argument against working for BAE Systems, Thales and Qinetiq, until those companies cease unethical business practices and trade of armaments with regimes who use them for purposes illegal under International Law.

2) The introduction of a compulsory ethics module for all electronics and computer science courses.

3) All University departments to end their research contracts with the aforementioned companies.

BAE Systems is the 3rd largest arms manufacturer in the world and a UK company that has faced serious corruption allegations upheld by the High Court, as well as spying on British politicians and anti-war charities. BAE Systems supplies the Israeli air force with HUDs (Heads-Up Displays) and other systems for their F16s.

Thales is a French company that builds UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, or drones) in partnership with Elbit, an Israeli drone manufacturer. Their joint project, the Watchkeeper drone, is based on the Hermes model made by Elbit which was “field-tested” by Israel in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Sudan. Qinetiq operates the UK Drones testing centre in Wales (using Israeli technology) and supplies arms and explosives to oppressive regimes such as Saudi Arabia, one of the least democratic countries in the world, ranking lower than Iran and Burma in the 2012 democracy index.

Between 2006-2011, over 800 residents of Gaza have been killed by Israeli drone strikes, and a UK court has established a clear link between Thales, Elbit and alleged war crimes in Gaza. In the summer of 2014 over two thousand Palestinians, of which more than 500 were children, were murdered in a brutal assault on Gaza known as Operation Protective Edge. Drones and F16 fighter jets were used extensively, with experts claiming between 10,000 to 20,000 tons of explosives were dropped from the air.

As students, staff and members of the public, we believe that there can be no room for such unethical companies in academic institutions without information given to students on their unethical business. York is a world-class university and our graduates deserve worthwhile and productive career opportunities. Students have the right to know where their efforts are directed; their involvement with these companies aids the development of weaponry used against innocent civilians.