New report by Amnesty International, Saferworld and other NGOs
The report can be viewed here.
The proposed transfer to Myanmar (Burma) of a military helicopter containing components and technology from as many as six European Union countries threatens to undermine an EU arms embargo on Myanmar, according to a new report issued today.
‘Indian helicopters for Myanmar: making a mockery of the EU arms embargo?’, a report by European and international NGOs, including Amnesty International and Saferworld, cites credible sources who say that the Indian government is planning to transfer the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) to Myanmar. It reveals how the Indian-manufactured helicopter would not be operational without vital components from EU Member States and highlights the urgent need for stricter EU arms controls.
Should this transfer go ahead, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK could be undermining an EU arms embargo on Myanmar in place since 1988.
Variants of the ALH attack helicopter contain rocket launchers from Belgium; rockets, guns and engines from France; brake systems from Italy; fuel tanks and gearboxes from the UK and self-protection equipment from a Swedish company. German companies have been crucial to the design development of the ALH.
Saferworld’s Roy Isbister said:
“The EU embargo explicitly states that no military equipment should be supplied, either directly or indirectly, for use in Myanmar – what’s the point in having an arms embargo if it is not going to be implemented or enforced?”
Myanmar – or Burma – has a widely-documented record of serious human rights violations, which the United Nations has described as widespread and systematic. Such abuses include summary executions, torture, and the recruitment of child soldiers.
Amnesty International’s arms control researcher Helen Hughes said:
“Greater attention has to be given to the end-use agreements and the re-export of components from EU member states. Otherwise, these states could find themselves indirectly propping up a brutal regime which they themselves have condemned and whose violations have amounted to crimes against humanity.”
Info Birmanie, Burma Campaign, France said:
“The EU must stand by its obligations to prevent its military equipment being used in Burma and urge the Indian Government to stop this transfer. EU equipment must not be allowed to be used in connection with human rights abuses in Burma.”
The report also identifies US companies involved in the making of military equipment for the ALH despite a US arms embargo on Myanmar. Currently, there are no existing restrictions on India transferring these weapons to Myanmar.
The report calls on the EU to initiate immediate consultations with the Indian government. If India plans to supply or has indeed already supplied ALHs to Myanmar, EU member states should:
• withdraw all existing export licence authorisations and refuse any new applications for any transfers of components or technology that could be used for the ALH;
• discontinue all future production co-operation with India that might lead to transfers of embargoed equipment to Myanmar;
• attach to all future licences for transfers of controlled goods and technology to India a strict and enforceable condition prohibiting re-export to states under embargo.
In addition to improving national and EU practice, EU member states should give their full support to current efforts to develop an international Arms Trade Treaty, establishing globally-binding rules on arms transfers in accordance with international law and human rights standards.
The report can be viewed here.
For more information, please contact:
Nicola East, Amnesty International, Tel: +44 (0)207 413 5729;neast@amnesty.org
Sonia Rai, Advocacy and Communications, Saferworld, Tel: +44 (0)207 324 4646; srai@saferworld.org.uk
Notes to Editors
1. NGOs endorsing this report include:
Africa-Europe Faith & Justice Network (AEFJN), Belgium; Amnesty International; Armaments Information Office (RüstungsInformationsBüro), Germany; Burma Campaign France; Burma Campaign UK; Caritas France; Campagne tegen Wapenhandel, Netherlands; Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), UK; Groupe de Recherche et d’Information sur la Paix et la Sécurité (GRIP), Belgium; Pax Christi Flanders; School for a Culture of Peace, Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain); Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation (SweFOR); Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society (SPAS); Saferworld, UK; Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC), UK.