Quakers Ask: Is Australia Arming Human Rights Abuses?
Australia has an obligation to ensure its military trade does not support human rights abuses. The Arms Trade Treaty, which Australia championed, is falling short of its vision to reduce harms from the military industry globally. Australia’s current military trade architecture fails basic standards of public accountability and undermines the vision of the Arms Trade Treaty. Australia should review and amend our infrastructure to provide transparency and as an example of global best practice and leadership in arms control.
Global military expenditure is USD$2.4 trillion p/a, 10 times development assistance. The historical lack of regulation of the arms trade has massive implications for global human security. The industry is responsible for 40% of global corruption
The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) came into force 10 years ago, with Australia playing a pivotal role in its formation. The ATT establishes global standards, forbidding arms sales when there is a risk of them being used to violate human rights.
Recent Australian Governments have set a goal for Australia to become one of the ten largest military exporters globally.
Australia’s military industry is opaque – Government Departments report vastly different information using different methodologies and data sources. In 2023-4 the Department of Defence issued permits for over $100billion of exports; and DFAT reported $2.7 billion of actual exports.
Australia’s military industry is growing rapidly. Australia has doubled its percentage share of global military exports of major arms in four years. DFAT and ABS data indicates actual exports may have doubled in three years.
Australia has recently exported to regimes where there are serious human rights concerns- Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Philippines, Sudan, South Sudan, Israel, Indonesia. Because of the lack of public information, it is unclear whether these exports have directly facilitated human rights abuses.
A recent report funded by the Australian and UK governments reported eroding levels of transparency globally, significantly impacting on the efficacy of the Arms Trade Treaty. It concluded the Treaty has failed to make clearly observable progress towards the objective of reducing human suffering.
Quakers Australia is calling for a parliamentary inquiry to review the entirety of the current system regulating military exports and import.
To read the full document including Quakers’ view on what actions Australia should take CLICK HERE.
