No Questions Asked

In this briefing paper, Human Rights Watch builds on the U.N. experts’ report to examine the manner in which the Liberia arms embargo has been systematically breached to furnish weapons to gross human rights abusers. Much attention has been given in the past to the subject of individual arms traffickers and the transport networks they use to illegally deliver weapons to abusive end users. What is often overlooked is that the illegal activities of these traffickers intersect with the arms trading policies and practices of governments. The Liberia experts’ report offers concrete examples of how arms traffickers dupe arms exporters and points to some problems that deserve greater attention, but it does not criticize arms supplier governments for their irresponsible behavior. For that reason, this paper focuses particular attention on the countries in central and eastern Europe whose lax export controls facilitate illicit arms trafficking. We highlight the supply side of the illegal trade, identify the major weaknesses in existing controls, and draw concrete lessons from the Liberia example. We conclude by offering a set of recommendations to address weaknesses in these controls and thereby help prevent the flow of weapons into the wrong hands. We endorse some of the recommendations made by the Liberia panel for action by the Security Council and member states, and also add further recommendations to more fully address the supply dimension of the arms trade.