MPs: 'stop arms sales to repressive regimes'

14 September 2011

MPs have called on ministers to stop arms sales to authoritarian regimes around the world, but the government has insisted it has robust export controls in place.

An early day motion so far signed by ten MPs said that UK Trade and Investment, the government body responsible for promoting British defence exports, had countries including Algeria, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as "arms export priority markets" for 2010-2011.

The motion claimed that with the exception of Libya sales efforts continue, causing concern for MPs over "the inherent conflict between the government's promotion of military exports and its stated desire to help protect human rights overseas".

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, the primary sponsor of the motion, said in the week of the DSEi arms fair it was "clearer than ever" that there was a "serious moral conflict" between the government's promotion of exports and a desire to protect human rights.

"David Cameron positioned himself at the forefront of the effort to support the Libyan uprising, yet last year the UK issued over £200m worth of equipment requiring export licences to the country, providing Colonel Gaddafi with resources including tear gas, crowd control equipment, and ammunition for wall and door-breaching projectile launchers," she said.

"If we are truly committed to upholding human rights in the region, then we must urgently review our role in the international arms trade - and stop selling arms to repressive regimes."

Concerns had arisen from anti arms trade protestors that delegations from oppressive countries had been invited to DSEi defence trade show currently being held in London.

But speaking to Defencemanagement.com the government has insisted it will continue to uphold "stringent" export rules.

Adam Thomas from UK Trade and Investment told Defencemanagement.com: "Just because delegates come [to DSEi] doesn't mean they will get equipment".

And another spokesman for the government said: "The British position is clear: we will not issue licences where we judge there is a clear risk that the proposed export might provoke or prolong regional or internal conflicts, or which might be used to facilitate internal repression."