Vol. 468 No. 2
31 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a recent report by Amnesty International that detailed the EU states which export arms and instruments of repression, to conflict zones and repressive regimes; the plans, if any, he has to place this issue on the agenda of Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13443/96]
I am aware of the contents of the Annual Amnesty International report referred to by the Deputy. Amnesty International makes the important point that before allowing the transfer of military, security or police equipment, technology or training from one country to another, Governments should take the receiving country's human rights record into account. The Government wholeheartedly shares this concern. The Government's views on the matter of arms exports are well understood by the international community including our partners in the European Union.
The Luxembourg and Lisbon common criteria on arms exports represent both the first significant result of EU intergovernmental co-operation in the field of arms exports and the essential foundation for progress on arms exports policy at EU level in the future. The common criteria relate to factors such as the respect for international commitments, the existence of tensions or conflict, the attitude of the buyer country to terrorism and the risk that arms and equipment would be diverted or reexported under undesirable conditions. The respect of human rights in the country of final destination is the second of these eight criteria.
Under the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the Union, member states inform and consult each other increasingly on matters of arms export control policy. The discussion of the common criteria is ongoing with a view to developing a common approach leading to a harmonisation of national policies.
