German Arms Exports to the World? Taking Stock of the Past 30 Years

Abstract

The German government claims to pursue a restrictive arms export policy. Indeed, there are ample laws, provisions and international agreements for regulating the trade of weapons, other military equipment and product licences. However, this dense and complicated web of norms has not led to a responsible practice of German arms trade. Taking a look back over the past three decades, this report refers to numerous examples in which Germany grants licences and exports weapons of war and military equipment to countries that violate international humanitarian law in armed conflicts, but also to countries that severely violate the human rights of their citizens and to regions of tensions. The author suggests the adoption of an arms export control law in order to turn the existing web of norms into a more effective legal basis.