To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department took to investigate whether telecommunications interception equipment licensed for export to the Philippines on 25 July 2016 could be used for internal repression.
Answered on
26 February 2018
All export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking into account all prevailing circumstances at the time of application, including reports from Non-government Organisations and our overseas network. In particular, Criterion Two concerns the 'respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country of final destination as well as respect by that country for international humanitarian law'.
The Consolidated Criteria provide a thorough risk assessment framework and require us to assess the impact of providing equipment and its capabilities. The Government will not issue an export licence if to do so would be inconsistent with any provision of the Consolidated Criteria, including if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression. This assessment takes into account the specific end user and intended end use of the goods.