UK Exports of Arms and Equipment 2020-06-18
2020-06-18
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Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Concerns about UK-supplied tear gas and rubber bullets being used against Black Lives Matter protesters in the United States.
Arms export criteria state that licences should not be granted if “there is a clear risk that the items might be used for internal repression”. In light of police in America using tear gas and rubber bullets, which may have been supplied by the UK, to attack Black Lives Matter protesters, will the Minister cancel licences involved in the arming of repression? On a technical point can he tell me whether tear gas equipment is covered by the open general export licence for the US-UK defence trade co-operation treaty?
We will continue to monitor developments closely. We will review where necessary. On the technical points that she refers to, I welcome her probing question. We believe that criterion 2 is very important. It addresses the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country of final destination, and that is something that Her Majesty's Government will certainly bear in mind as we review situations in the United States or elsewhere.
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