Some milestones from our history
2008
The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society (SPAS) runs the Swedish section of the global campaign against cluster munitions which in December reaches its goal of a total ban on cluster munitions.
1997
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines receives the Nobel Peace Prize. SPAS formed the Swedish section of the campaign in 1992.
1995
As a reaction to the war in Chechnya, SPAS protests against the war outside the Russian embassy in Stockholm and engages in cooperation with the Russian Committee of Soldiers’ Mothers.
1984
SPAS reveals illegal arms deliveries from the Swedish company Bofors. This is followed by a public debate on illegal as well as legal arms trade which infl uenced the government to adopt stricter export guidelines.
1958
The writer Per Anders Fogelström (president of SPAS 1963-77) takes, together with others prominent in Sweden’s cultural life, the initiative to a campaign against Swedish nuclear arms. Th e campaign challenged ideas among some Swedish military and politicians to build a Swedish A-bomb. In 1968, Sweden fi nally joined the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
1920
Sweden adopts its fi rst law to provide an alternative service for conscientious objectors.
1905
Norway breaks out of the union with Sweden. Th ere were discussions within Swedish society and the military about using military force to prevent the Norwegians from leaving the union. But after campaigns by SPAS and others the dispute was solved peacefully. It was also decided that future disputes between Sweden and Norway should be solved by arbitration.
1883
Some 80 members of the Swedish parliament, mainly liberals, gather to form The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society (SPAS). The meeting was a reaction to a proposal from the government to increase Sweden’s military spending.
