Given the seriousness and violence of the events in Western Sahara, the organizations of the Control Arms Campaign, Amnesty International, Fundació per la Pau, Greenpeace and Oxfam, are concerned about the possibility that the weapons used by the Moroccan army to be of English origin.
Therefore, the NGOs ask the Government to ensure that the weapons sold in 2009 and 2010 not being used in Western Sahara to commit human rights violations and to suspend preventively authorized sales and not implemented, about 50 million in aircraft, until independently investigate and clarify the situation.
Morocco in 2009 increased attacks on freedom of expression, association and assembly on issues deemed sensitive to internal and external security of the state, according to Amnesty International. Moreover, the authorities have intensified restrictions on supporters self-determination of Western Sahara.
Although NGOs consider Morocco a destination concern regarding respect for human rights, in 2009 Spain made this country exports worth over 30 million euros, including 28 million in road vehicles and 1.7 million in aircraft. You authorized another 50 million in aircraft.
In the first half of 2010 sales of defense equipment have reached 4.13 million euros. Of this amount 3.4 million euros related to a vessel, EUR 564,484 cartridges for shotguns and rifles with smooth-bore, 110,000 euros to components of weapons of war, 14,814 euros shotguns and rifles for hunting or sport shooting and EUR 6,401 for parts and accessories of various items. Demand guarantees
NGOs do not know what kind of guarantees has received the English Government that this material would not be used in actions that could violate human rights. Therefore, asking the executive to clarify what safeguards were taken to ensure that they are not committing human rights violations English arms in the Western Sahara.
Otherwise, say the sale would violate the Law on Control of Foreign Trade in Defence and Dual-Use (Law 53/2007 of 28 December), which states that refuse arms sales operations to countries with human rights violations.
source: elmundo.es
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