Irish firms accused of supplying weapons to war zones

AMNESTY International said yesterday Irish companies were involved in the supply of deadly weapons to conflicts going on in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

The organisation demanded loopholes in export controls be closed to prevent any connection with human rights abuses around the world.

It claims Irish firms and individuals are making key components for weaponsassembled abroad and are providing overseas arms manufacturers with expertise.

These include parts for attack helicopters used against Palestinians and inLebanon as well as designs for armoured vehicles used in Afghanistan and byIraqi paramilitaries accused of torture and unlawful killing.

“We need effective law to ensure that military and security goods, technologyand services from Ireland do not contribute to human rights abuses around theglobe,” insisted Noeleen Hartigan, director of programmes for AmnestyInternational in Ireland.

“Ireland must play its part in controlling the global arms trade; we are theonly EU country that has no controls on arms brokering.”

Ms Hartigan said that while Amnesty International did not oppose all trade inmilitary, security and police equipment, stricter controls were needed.

Irish companies are also involved with the transport of arms to Israel andVenezuela, supplying “less lethal” security and prison equipment and providingmilitary services to overseas armed forces, the international human rights organisation claimed.

It is calling on the Government to introduce tighter laws regulating themanufacture of weapons components, the supply of military services and armstransport through Ireland.

“We welcomed the publication of the Control of Exports Bill 2007 in February,but as this research proves, the bill will not adequately control our currentand potential arms trade,” said Ms Hartigan.

“Faced with an arms industry that operates globally, the Irish Government mustnot take a minimalist approach to this legislation.

“The scale of human suffering caused by uncontrolled arms transfers makesaction on our recommendations imperative.”