Human Rights and Rule of Law Development in the EU’s Arms Export Policy

The European Union accounts for over a quarter of the world’s arms exports when the exports of all EU member states are combined. In December 2008, the EU adopted a Common Position defining common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment. According to the Common Position, EU countries consider the human rights situation in the recipient country when deciding on granting export licenses.

The project “Human Rights and Rule of Law Development in the EU’s Arms Export Policy,” led by SaferGlobe, aims to highlight how human rights and rule of law development are reflected in the arms export policies of the European Union and its member states and in decisions on arms export licenses. The goal is to increase public awareness of the consideration of human rights situations and rule of law development in the EU’s arms export policy. At the same time, the project aims to stimulate discussion on EU arms exports and enhance the factual basis of the debate, bringing in perspectives on human rights and rule of law development more strongly.

The project is communicative in nature, aiming to produce independent and accessible information on the topic through multiple channels, including podcasts, discussion events, printed publications, and social media. Key to this is cooperation with the European Movement Finland, which is responsible for producing the podcast and organizing the publication event, as well as participating in communicating about the project.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has granted the project state aid for NGOs’ European communication for the year 2020.

Project Publications:

• Policy Brief 1: Arms Exports of EU Countries and Human Rights in Export Destination Countries 2003–2018
• Policy Brief 2: Means and Challenges of the EU’s Arms Export Policy in Considering Human Rights and Rule of Law Development

As part of the project, a podcast was produced by the European Movement Finland. SaferGlobe researchers Kari Paasonen and Ronja Karkinen discussed EU countries’ arms exports, human rights, and rule of law development in the “Euroopan Suunta” podcast.

• “Euroopan Suunta” Podcast: EU Countries’ Arms Exports – The Contradiction of Harmonies

The key findings of the project were presented in a webinar organized by SaferGlobe and the European Movement Finland on November 26, 2020. The presenters were SaferGlobe researchers Ronja Karkinen and Kari Paasonen. Participants in the panel discussion included European Movement Finland’s Vice Chairman Gurmann Saini, Second Vice Chairman and Member of Parliament Eveliina Heinäluoma, and researcher Ronja Karkinen. The discussion was moderated by researcher Kari Paasonen. A recording of the webinar can be viewed below.