II. Multilateral arms embargoes

Chapter:

14. Dual-use and arms trade controls

Source:

SIPRI Yearbook 2020

Author(s):

Mark Bromley

The United Nations Security Council uses its powers under chapter 7 of the UN Charter to impose arms embargoes—that is, restrictions on transfers of arms and, in certain cases, dual-use items—that are binding for all UN member states, which form part of what the UN generally refers to as ‘sanctions measures’.¹ During 2019, 13 UN arms embargoes were in force (table 14.2). The European Union also imposes arms embargoes under its Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) that are binding for EU member states, which form part of what the EU generally refers to as ‘restrictive measures’.² During 2019, 21 EU arms embargoes were in force. Of these EU embargoes, 10 matched the coverage of a UN arms embargo; 3 (on Iran, South Sudan and Sudan) were broader in duration, geographical scope or the types of arms covered; while 8 had no UN counterpart. The Arab League had one arms embargo in place (on Syria) that also had no UN counterpart.³ No new multilateral arms embargo was imposed in 2019 and none was lifted. The European Council discussed a possible EU arms embargo on Turkey but did not impose one.