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Press Release
16 October 2001
UK WORKING GROUP ON ARMS
Amnesty International, BASIC, Christian Aid,
International Alert, Oxfam, Saferworld
Loophole in new law could allow British dealers to arm
terrorist groups
- Government breaks manifesto commitment -
New proposals for legislation being debated in Parliament
today could still allow British arms brokers to organise weapons
shipments to terrorist organisations and governments guilty
of gross human rights abuses. There is a serious loophole
in the Export Control Bill caused by the Government breaking
an election manifesto pledge. The UK Working Group on Arms
is urging the Government to honour its commitment and introduce
comprehensive controls to stop British arms dealers arming
terrorist groups and regimes that violate human rights.
The Labour Party pledged in its election manifesto "to introduce
a licensing system to control the activities of arms brokers
and traffickers wherever they are located." However,
a loophole in the new Bill would not stop British arms brokers
from organising the transfer of combat helicopters, tanks
or machine guns from an overseas country to terrorist groups.
By crossing to Ireland to do the deal, a British broker would
evade the new controls.
There is increasing evidence that arms brokers have been
responsible for large supplies of weapons to human rights
abusers, rebel groups and conflict zones. Kofi Annan, the
UN Secretary-General, said last year "Particularly close attention
needs to be paid to the role of private arms merchants and
in supplying weapons to areas of actual or potential conflict.
The goal of public identification of international arms merchants
and their activities has proved elusive, but perhaps no other
single initiative would do more to combat the flow of illicit
arms…"
Paul Eavis, Director of Saferworld, said: "In the current
situation, it is more vital than ever to control illicit arms
supplies. It is alarming that a loophole in this Bill could
enable British dealers to supply weapons to terrorist
groups in Syria, Pakistan, Indonesia or the Philippines that
then endanger the lives of ordinary people. We urge the Government
to keep its manifesto commitment and control this deadly trade."
For more information, please contact:
Michael Crowley at BASIC: 44-(0)207-407-2977
Andy McLean at Saferworld: 44-(0)207-881-9290, 44-(0)7947-049357
Neil Durkin at Amnesty International: 44-(0)207-814-6241
Helen Palmer at Oxfam: 44-(0)1865-312498
Sarah Meek at International Alert: 44-(0)207-793-8383
Malcolm Rodgers at Christian Aid: 44-(0)207-523-2035
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