EDM: UK arms export licensing and conflict in Sudan

UK arms export licensing and conflict in Sudan

Tabled by Monica Harding (Liberal Democrat) 45 signatures

The motion

That this House condemns the actions of parties that are fuelling, prolonging and intensifying the conflict in Sudan through the provision of arms and military support, including allegations that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF); emphasises that the UK’s legal obligations apply not only where UK-supplied weapons are diverted to Sudan, but also where UK arms exports are authorized to states whose conduct includes supplying military support to parties responsible for serious violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), rendering them inappropriate recipients of UK military exports; notes that the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria require the Government to assess whether exports would facilitate serious violations of IHL or exacerbate conflict, and whether the conduct and record of the buyer country raise concerns regarding respect for international law and responsible arms transfers (Criteria 2,4,6 and 7); recalls the UK’s obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty, the Geneva Conventions, to ensure respect for IHL, and not to assist in war crimes; is deeply concerned that authorisation of arms exports to states credibly alleged to be arming parties to the Sudan conflict risks undermining those obligations; further notes reports that the RSF has committed grave atrocities; and calls on the Government to suspend existing licences for the export of military and dual-use goods to the UAE, and to any other destination credibly alleged to be supplying arms to parties to the conflict in Sudan, pending reassessment against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.

Signatories (45)