International arms embargoes
General information about arms embargoes
An arms embargo means that one or more countries have decided not to allow arms exports to a specified recipient country. The embargo can cover all types of military equipment and related services, or only certain categories. However, exemptions are often made for deliveries of certain military equipment that is to be used for humanitarian purposes or for protection, or that is intended for peace-keeping forces in the country concerned. It is common to conduct regular reviews of whether the embargo is to continue, whether the terms are to be changed or whether the embargo as a whole is to be lifted.
An arms embargo is primarily intended to act as a preventive measure, but also sends a political signal that the international community disapproves of policies or other conditions in the country concerned. As a rule, it is only resorted to after other attempts to exert international political pressure have failed. The scope of an embargo should be clearly defined and its nature should be temporary. The aim is thus not to regulate exports of military equipment to a certain country permanently or for an extended period. Nor does the lifting of an embargo mean that arms exports to the county concerned are automatically allowed. Each country's laws and regulations specify the general conditions that apply for such exports to be approved. In Sweden, arms exports are regulated under the Military Equipment Act (1992:1300). For an overview, see Government Communication 2007/08:114 on strategic export controls under the heading Download.
Decisions on arms embargoes by the UN, the EU or the OSCE
International arms embargoes are normally decided by the UN Security Council or the EU Council of Ministers according to the decision-making rules of each organisation. In the case of the EU, unanimity applies. In several older cases, embargoes of this kind were established through decisions taken by the OSCE or its predecessors. Under the Swedish guidelines for military equipment exports, decisions by these organisations constitute an unconditional obstacle to Swedish exports to the countries concerned. EU Member States implement UN decisions on arms embargoes by adopting their own national laws concerning them. Within the framework of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), the EU can also take decisions on arms embargoes that go beyond what the UN Security Council or other bodies have decided. These decisions are implemented through application of each EU State's national regulations for export controls. EU arms embargoes normally also include prohibitions against exports of technical and financial services related to military equipment. These prohibitions are regulated in Council regulations under Community law.
Sweden's use of arms embargoes
In 2007, Sweden was applying 17 arms embargoes against 16 countries (one embargo targeted Usama bin Laden, members of Al-Qaida and the Taliban), of which 15 have been decided on independently in the EU. An overview of international arms embargoes in force for Sweden is displayed in a special table that can be found under the heading Download. The overview also contains references to relevant underlying documents such as Security Council resolutions, EU common positions and Council regulations.
Responsible Swedish authority
The Swedish Agency for Non-Proliferation and Export Controls (ISP) is the government agency that controls Sweden's exports of military equipment and dual-use products (i.e. products that can be used both in civilian activities and for military purposes). The ISP is responsible for classification of products and taking decisions on applications for export licences.
SIPRI study on UN arms embargoes
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), together with Uppsala University, has conducted a study of UN arms embargoes and their impact. The report is called 'United Nations Arms Embargoes: Their Impact on Arms Flows and Target Behaviour' and can be found under the heading External links.
Download
External links
- Information from the EU on sanctions
- Swedish Agency for Non-Proliferation and Export Controls (ISP) (in Swedish)
- Information from SIPRI on arms embargoes
- SIPRI report: United Nations Arms Embargoes: Their Impact on Arms Flows and Target Behaviour
- Stockholm Process - The Special Program on the Implementation of Targeted Sanctions (SPITS)
