(ANSAmed) - MADRID, APRIL 27 - Spain has continued to export
arms and defence material to countries including Egypt, Bahrain
and Saudi Arabia during the Arab Spring uprisings, Amnesty
International, Intermon Oxfam and Greenpeace have claimed. The
NGOs, who are all involved in the "Arms under control" campaign,
drafted a report in collaboration with the Foundation for Peace
and with technical assistance from the Institute of Studies on
Conflicts and Humanitarian Action. The document, which concerns
the first six months of 2011, shows that Spain continued to
export defence and dual-use material, hunting and sporting
weapons and police equipment to the countries, despite control
measures on arms trading to North Africa and the Middle East.
The material "risked being used to commit human rights
violations," the report said.
Saudi Arabia's armed forces received arms and dual-use material worth 3.5 million euros, while deals with the country for aircraft, bombs, missiles and rockets worth 29.6 million euros were also authorised. In the case of Bahrain, defence material worth 6.35 million euros and off-road vehicles and aircraft worth 79 million euros were sold. The NGOs released a statement expressing their "concern" for the case of Saudi Arabia, with reference to an operation that could lead to the sale of 250 Leopard combat tanks. The NGOs have asked the Spanish Secretary of State for Trade, Jaime Garcia-Legaz, to appear before Congress to explain the details of exports in the sector in the first 6 months of 2011. (ANSAmed).
Saudi Arabia's armed forces received arms and dual-use material worth 3.5 million euros, while deals with the country for aircraft, bombs, missiles and rockets worth 29.6 million euros were also authorised. In the case of Bahrain, defence material worth 6.35 million euros and off-road vehicles and aircraft worth 79 million euros were sold. The NGOs released a statement expressing their "concern" for the case of Saudi Arabia, with reference to an operation that could lead to the sale of 250 Leopard combat tanks. The NGOs have asked the Spanish Secretary of State for Trade, Jaime Garcia-Legaz, to appear before Congress to explain the details of exports in the sector in the first 6 months of 2011. (ANSAmed).
