Our story began in 1996 as the Brazilian Campaign Against Landmines, founded by peace activists Father Marcelo Rezende Guimarães and Reverend Ricardo Wangen, with support from various Brazilian non-governmental organizations, such as “Em Busca da Paz,” “Serpaz,” and Amnesty International. Since then, we have been recognized as part of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), which was awarded the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize. Between 1996 and 2007, the Campaign’s work focused on the issue of landmines, marked by the continuity and consistency of activism aimed at raising civil society awareness, as well as the universalization and effective implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. During this period, the actions undertaken included lobbying for Brazil’s ratification of the Treaty, monitoring its implementation, advocating for the reduction of the number of mines retained for training purposes, strengthening victim assistance, and conducting research in collaboration with the Landmine Monitor (currently the Landmine and Cluster Munitions Monitor). The Campaign also actively participated in international diplomatic forums, with a special focus on Portuguese-speaking countries and Latin America. In recognition of its work, it served on the ICBL Coordination Committee between 2003 and 2005.

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However, the progress made in the eradication of landmines has brought to light other equally urgent issues, particularly the need to address the problem of cluster munitions. In this context, in 2007 the Campaign incorporated the phrase “and Cluster Munitions” into its name, becoming the Brazilian Campaign Against Landmines and Cluster Munitions, and engaging from the very first negotiation meeting throughout the entire process that culminated in the adoption of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, signed in 2008 and in force since 2010. From that moment on, the Campaign’s agenda was progressively expanded, reflecting its activists’ growing understanding of the need to take on new fronts of action—a movement that was also gaining strength at the international level. Under the umbrella of humanitarian disarmament, agendas such as the universalization of the Arms Trade Treaty, the abolition of nuclear weapons, and the prohibition of fully autonomous weapon systems were incorporated. This process culminated in 2015 with the adoption of our current identity: Dhesarme – Brazilian Action for Humanitarian Disarmament, reflecting a more comprehensive, integrated approach aligned with global movements.

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A key part of this journey is the research and education project “Humanitarian Disarmament: A Political Approach,” created in 2014 by activist and professor Gustavo Oliveira Vieira, who currently coordinates the project at the Federal University of Latin American Integration (UNILA). The project engages students in the critical analysis of issues such as landmines, cluster munitions, nuclear weapons, the arms trade, armed violence, less-lethal weapons, and autonomous systems. By combining theory, practice, and participation in international campaigns, the project strengthens the training of new young activists and amplifies the national debate on peace, security, and human rights.