Spain’s EH Bildu, ERC seek end to arms exports to Morocco
Yabiladi, and agencies, reported on May 5th that the Basque and Catalan independence parties, EH Bildu and the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), have formally demanded a halt to arms and security equipment exports to Morocco.
Both parties, longstanding supporters of the Polisario Front, have called for the immediate suspension of all export licences involving police and military-use items.
The demand stems from concerns over alleged serious violations of international law by Moroccan security forces.
EH Bildu and ERC argue that no further arms licences should be authorised to Morocco until these allegations are independently and thoroughly investigated.
Among the reported abuses are the excessive use of force, torture, and the forced disappearance of migrants, practices that, the parties claim, warrant international scrutiny and accountability.
This proposal is part of an ongoing legislative reform under consideration in Spain’s House of Representatives, which seeks to tighten regulations surrounding the foreign trade of defence and security equipment.
The reform aims to reinforce legal safeguards and ensure that Spain’s defence exports do not contribute to human rights violations abroad.
The move also follows a similar effort by ERC in December 2020, when its MPs backed a non-binding parliamentary motion calling for a halt to arms sales to Morocco under similar grounds.
Despite the renewed pressure from its left-wing allies, the Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has so far declined to support an embargo. A recent initiative introduced by coalition partner Sumar was rejected by the executive.
In April 2024, in response to concerns, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares defended Spain’s arms export policy, stating that all defence material exports carried out by Spain comply with national legislation, as well as European and international regulations.”
He emphasised that Spain’s export policies are grounded in international humanitarian law and committed to promoting peace and security.
Yabiladi. Maghrebi
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