Human Rights and Democracy - Official Documents

Counter-proliferation
The Government supports a responsible defence industry that helps meet the
legitimate defence needs of other states. However, governments intent on internal
repression or territorial expansion, international terrorist organisations and organised
crime networks may also seek to acquire weapons, either legally or illegally. The
effect of these weapons can remain long after their use; unexploded ordnances, for
example from cluster munitions, can remain in the ground for decades, threatening
the lives of civilians and hampering post-conflict reconstruction.
We take our role in combating this problem seriously and are committed to ensuring
that the legitimate arms trade is properly regulated. The year 2010 demonstrated
that our export licensing system can respond effectively to reduce the risk that arms
exports are used for human rights abuses. The year also saw important progress
towards a global Arms Trade Treaty with the first formal negotiating session in New
York. On 4 May, the UK became the 32nd country to ratify the Convention on
Cluster Munitions.
Export licensing
The Government believes that support for human rights is wholly compatible with a
responsible defence industry.
All arms export licences are examined rigorously on a case-by-case basis under the
Consolidated EU and National Export Licensing Criteria. These criteria reflect an EU
Common Position and thus ensure consistency across the EU in the control of
exports of the military technology and equipment listed in the EU Common Military
List.
All export licence applications are considered against the respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms in the destination country, including a consideration of
any serious violations of international humanitarian law. If we believe there is a clear
risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression, we will not issue
a licence. We take account of the nature of the equipment, the record of the end
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