Arms embargo explained

An arms embargo is a restriction or a set of sanctions that applies either solely to weaponry or also to "dual-use technology." An arms embargo may serve one or more purposes:

• to signal disapproval of the behavior of a certain actor
• to maintain neutrality in an ongoing conflict
• as a peace mechanism that is part of a peace process to resolve an armed conflict
• to limit the ability of an actor to inflict violence on others
• to weaken a country's military capabilities before a foreign intervention

Historical examples

Argentina

US President Jimmy Carter imposed an arms embargo on the military government of Argentina in 1977 in response to human rights abuses.^[1]

An arms embargo was put in place, along with other economic sanctions by the European Economic Community (EEC), within a week of the 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands by Argentina, two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic.^[2] The European nations ended the embargo after the end of the ensuing Falklands War, and Argentina looked to Western European countries and Israel for arms supplies during the US embargo until it was lifted in 1989.^[1]

Indonesia

The US government imposed an arms embargo against Indonesia in 1999 because of human rights violations in East Timor. The embargo was lifted in 2005.

Iran

The United States imposed economic sanctions against Iran following the Iranian Revolution in 1979. However, to secure the release of American hostages, several senior Reagan administration officials secretly facilitated the sale of arms to Iran in the 1980s in a scandal called the Iran–Contra affair.^[3] In 1995, the US expanded sanctions to include firms dealing with the Iranian government.^[4]

In March 2007, UN Security Council Resolution 1747 tightened the sanctions imposed on Iran in connection with the Iranian nuclear program. The sanctions were lifted on 16 January 2016.

In September 2020, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the imposition of an arms embargo on the Iranian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics and other entities involved in Iran's nuclear program, including the government of the disputed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for providing weapons to Iran.^[5]

On 18 October 2020, Iran announced that the United Nations conventional arms embargo imposed on the country in 2007 had expired. The embargo had barred Iran from purchasing arms, including tanks and fighter jets, from foreign nations. The embargo was lifted as per the conditions under Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world leaders, despite US objections.^{[6] [7]}

Israel

Since 7 October several countries such as Italy, Japan, Spain, Canada, the Netherlands and Belgium have ceased the sale of weapons to Israel.^{[8] [9]} Key US allies such as Britain and France are debating it.^[10] However the United States and Germany as the major suppliers of Israel's arms imports keep supplying lethal weapons in spite of growing criticism of the mounting civilian casualties.^{[8] [11]}

People's Republic of China

The United States and the European Union stopped exporting arms to China after 1989 after the violent suppression of protests in Tiananmen Square. In 2004 and 2005, there was some debate in the EU over whether to lift the embargo.^{[12] [13]}

South Africa

UN Security Council Resolution 418 applied an arms embargo of South Africa in 1977 on dual-use items. The embargo was lifted by Resolution 919 in 1994.

United States

To protest the Vietnam War, Sweden imposed an arms embargo on the United States in 1966.^[14] That notably deprived Navy SEALs of the Carl Gustav m/45 submachine gun, which resulted in the creation of the Smith & Wesson M76.

List of current arms embargoes

The countries included in the list are under arms embargo of the UN or another international organization such as the EU and the OSCE and others) or a country. In some cases the arms embargo is supplemented by a general trade embargo, other sanctions (financial), or travel ban for specific persons. In some cases, the arms embargo applies to any entity residing or established in the country, but in others. it is partial with the recognized government's forces and international peacekeepers being exempted from the embargo.

Arms embargo by UN

• Democratic Republic of the Congo (non-governmental forces by UN, EU),^[15] 2003/1993–
• Haiti (by UN),^[16] 2022-
• Iraq (non-governmental forces by UN, EU),^[17] 2004–
• Libya (by UN, EU) 2011–^[18]
• North Korea (by UN, EU),^[19] arms and luxury goods, 2006–
• Lebanon (non-governmental forces by UN, EU),^[20] 2006–
  • South Sudan (by UN) 2018–
• Sudan (by UN, EU),^[21] 2004/1994– (UN/EU)
• Yemen (by UN, EU), 2015-

Former embargos

• Eritrea (by UN, EU),^[22] 2010–2018
• Guinea (by EU),^[23] 2009–2014
• Iran (by UN, EU),^[24] 2006–2020 ^[25]
• Ivory Coast (by UN, EU),^[26] 2004–2016^[27]
• Rwanda (by UN in Resolution 918 and EU)^[28] (UN: 1994–2008, EU)
• Sierra Leone (by UN and EU),^[29] 1997–2010^[30]
• Somalia (by UN, EU),^[31] 1992/2002–2023 (UN/EU)^[32]
• Yugoslavia (by UN in Resolution 713 and EU)^[33] (UN/EU: September 1991)^{[34] [35]}
• Central African Republic (by UN, EU),^{[36] [37]} 2013–2024

Arms embargo by others

• Argentina (by the United Kingdom)^{[38] [39]} 1982-
• Armenia (by OSCE),^[40] 1992–
• Azerbaijan (by OSCE),^[41] 1992–
• Belarus (by EU), 2011-
• Cuba (by US),^[42] 1958–
• Egypt (by EU), 2013-
• Myanmar (by EU),^[43] 1990–
• People's Republic of China (by EU/US),^{[44] [45]} 1989–
• Venezuela (by EU), 2017-
• Syria (by the Arab League), 2011-
• Zimbabwe (by EU),^[46] 2002–

Former embargos

• Syria (by EU),^[47] 2011–2013^[48]
• Turkey (by US) 1975–1978^[49]
• Uzbekistan (by EU),^[50] 2005–2009^[51]
• Vietnam (by US) 1984–1995

See also

• Arms control
• Arms Export Control Act (United States)
• Arms industry

External links

• Hellström, Jerker (2010) "The EU Arms Embargo on China: a Swedish Perspective", Swedish Defence Research Agency
• US Bureau of Industry and Security
• UK Current Arms Embargoes and Other Restrictions
• European Commission CFSP Sanctions
• SIPRI database of multilateral arms embargoes since 1950

Notes and References

1. Web site: WORLD : U.S. Ends Argentine Arms Embargo - Los Angeles Times . Los Angelete Times. 21 February 1989 . .
2. Web site: EUROPEANS ENDING ARGENTINE IMPORTS IN FALKLAND CRISIS . The New York Times . 11 April 1982 . R.W. Apple Jr..
3. http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB210/ The Iran-Contra Affair 20 Years On
4. News: Ariel Zirulnick . Sanction Qaddafi? How 5 nations have reacted to sanctions: Iran . The Christian Science Monitor . 24 February 2011 . 13 February 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111115110523/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-Issues/2011/0224/Sanction-Qaddafi-How-5-nations-have-reacted-to-sanctions./Iran . 15 November 2011 . live .
5. Web site: Trump administration sanctions Iranian Defense Ministry, Venezuela's Maduro for aiding Iran's weapons programs . CNBC . 21 September 2020.
6. Web site: Iran says UN arms embargo lifted, allowing it to buy weapons. 18 October 2020. Deutsche Welle.
7. Web site: UN arms embargoes on Iran expire despite US objections. 18 October 2020. Associated Press.
8. News: UN rights body demands Israel be held accountable for possible 'war crimes' . Al Jazeera . 5 April 2024.
9. News: Bermant . Azriel . The UK's arms sales to Israel are tiny – but here's why Tel Aviv is panicking about a possible ban . The Guardian . 1 Aug 2024.
10. News: Global pressure grows on U.S. and Germany to stop arming Israel . Washington Post . 5 April 2024.
11. News: Bermant . Azriel . The UK's arms sales to Israel are tiny – but here's why Tel Aviv is panicking about a possible ban . The Guardian . 1 Aug 2024.
12. http://www.sldinfo.com/the-eu-arms-embargo-repeal-debate/ The EU Arms Embargo Repeal Debate
13. https://www.academia.edu/5475879/The_EU_Arms_Embargo_on_China_a_Swedish_Perspective_2010_/ Hellström, Jerker (2010) "The EU Arms Embargo on China: a Swedish Perspective", Swedish Defence Research Agency
14. Book: Rottman, Gordon L.. The Big Book of Gun Trivia: Everything you want to know, don't want to know, and don't know you need to know. Bloomsbury Publishing. 2013. 978-1-78200-949-8. 54.
15. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/dem-repub-congo/index.html DR Congo arms embargo
16. Web site: Arms embargoes SIPRI . 2023-10-01 . www.sipri.org.
17. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/iraq/index.html Iraq embargo
18. News: UN Security Council keeps Libya arms embargo in place. March 28, 2015. Al Jazeera English. August 5, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150709115216/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/03/security-council-libya-arms-embargo-place-150328111924635.html. July 9, 2015. live.
19. Web site: Embargoes and sanctions on Democratic People's Republic of Korea . 4 June 2013 . GOV.UK . 25 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190325162018/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/arms-embargo-on-democratic-peoples-republic-of-korea-north-korea . 25 March 2019 . live .
20. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/Lebanon/index.html Lebanon embargo
21. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/sudan/index.html Sudan embargo
22. http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/cfsp/sanctions/docs/measures_en.pdf EU Sanctions measures
23. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/guinea/index.html EU Guinea embargo
24. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/iran/index.html Iran embargo
25. Web site: Iran says UN arms embargo lifted, allowing it to buy weapons. 18 October 2020. Deutsche Welle.
26. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/Ivory-Coast/index.html Ivory Coast embargo
27. Web site: S/RES/2283(2016) - E - S/RES/2283(2016) -Desktop. 2022-01-07. undocs.org.
28. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/rwanda/index.html Rwanda embargo
29. Web site: Export Controls: Sanctions and Embargoes: Sierra Leone. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100304144721/http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/sierraleone/index.html. dead. 4 March 2010. Edwina. Wontner. 3 March 2010. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. 11 April 2018.
30. Web site: UN lifts arms embargo on Sierra Leone. 29 September 2010. Fox News. 11 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924180610/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/09/29/lifts-arms-embargo-sierra-leone/. 24 September 2015. live.
31. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/somalia/index.html Somalia embargo
32. Web site: Security Council Lifts Arms Embargo on Federal Government of Somalia, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2714 (2023) UN Press . 2023-12-02 . press.un.org.
33. [United Nations Security Council Resolution 713]
34. Web site: EU arms embargo on the former SFR of Yugoslavia (Bosnia and Herzegovina) SIPRI. www.sipri.org. 12 November 2012 . en. 2018-08-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20180831174935/https://www.sipri.org/databases/embargoes/eu_arms_embargoes/bosnia. 2018-08-31. live.
35. Web site: EU arms embargo on the former SFR of Yugoslavia (Bosnia and Herzegovina) - SIPRI. www.sipri.org. 12 November 2012 . 2018-08-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20180831174935/https://www.sipri.org/databases/embargoes/eu_arms_embargoes/bosnia. 2018-08-31. live.
36. https://www.un.org/sc/committees/2127/ Security Council arms embargo
37. News: Centrafrique : le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU lève l'embargo sur les armes. 1 August 2024. lemonde.fr. 31 July 2024 .
38. Web site: UK shoots down Argentine FA-50 deal.
39. Web site: Export licensing policy for Argentina.
40. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/armenia/index.html OSCE Nagorno Karabakh arms embargo
41. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/armenia/index.html OSCE Nagorno Karabakh arms embargo
42. http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/cuban-rebels/4-3-58-embargo.htm US Cuba arms embargo
43. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/burma/index.html EU Myanmar arms embargo
44. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/china/index.html EU China arms embargo
45. http://useu.usmission.gov/Dossiers/Chinese_Arms_Embargo/default.asp US China arms embargo
46. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/zimbabwe/index.html EU Zimbabwe embargo
47. Web site: EU imposes arms embargo on Syria. Associated Press in. Brussels. 9 May 2011. the Guardian. 11 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20160314101819/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/09/syria-european-union-arms-embargo. 14 March 2016. live.
48. Web site: UK forces EU to lift embargo on Syria rebel arms. Ian. Traynor. 28 May 2013. the Guardian. 11 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180124005823/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/28/uk-forced-eu-embargo-syria-rebel-arms. 24 January 2018. live.
49. Web site: US Arms Embargo against Turkey – after 30 Years, An Institutional Approach towards US Policy Making. sam.gov.tr. 11 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180124135636/http://sam.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/MuratKaragoz1.pdf. 24 January 2018. live.
50. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/sanctions-embargoes/by-country/uzbekistan/index.html EU Uzbekistan embargo
51. Web site: EU arms embargo on Uzbekistan — www.sipri.org . 2015-11-09 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160507054520/http://www.sipri.org/databases/embargoes/eu_arms_embargoes/uzbekistan . 2016-05-07 .