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Unit 12Export ControlsChapter 2: Multilateral instruments and standards for arms export controls
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  1. 0. Introduction
  2. 2. Multilateral instruments and standards for arms export controls
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Chapter 2

Multilateral instruments and standards for arms export controls

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Arms Embargoes

UN Security Council arms embargoes are the only legally binding international instruments on all UN member states which prohibit arms transfers to specific recipients (under UN Charter, Chapter VII, Article 41). Arms embargoes are used to put pressure on states or other actors whose behaviour is deemed a threat to international peace and security. These arms embargoes have also been established in response to violations of IHL, as in the case of Rwanda in 1994 and the Sudan region of Darfur in 2004. Importantly, their implementation is monitored by sanctions committees and UN panels of experts.The EU also imposes arms embargoes under its Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). These are binding for EU member states and form part of what the EU generally refers to as ‘restrictive measures’ (see Chapter 4).

Active multilateral arms embargoes (2024)Political world map showing three classes of arms embargoes: UN embargoes, EU embargoes without a UN counterpart, and EU embargoes broader in scope than their UN counterpart.
Active multilateral arms embargoes (2024)
  • United Nations embargo
  • EU embargo without UN counterpart
  • EU embargo with broader scope than UN embargos on the same target
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    The EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament eLearning Course aims to cover all aspects of the EU non-proliferation and disarmament agenda. It's produced by PRIF with financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of individual learning units are the sole responsibility of the respective authors and don't necessariy reflect the position of the European Union.