Política europea de control de las exportaciones de armas convencionales y seguridad humana: mecanismos para fomentar el respeto de los derechos humanos

Abstract

Based on the analysis of the incorporation of humanitarian criteria (limitations on the sale of conventional weapons that can be used to commit violations of human rights) prior to the entry into force of the Treaty on Arms Trade in the European arms export policy and its projection in national (especially Spain) legislation, this study aims at analysing various instruments of foreign policy, such as development cooperation or unilaterally imposed embargoes, that the EU has used to prevent Member States from selling arms that can be used against civilians to third countries. Ultimately, the study examines the Spanish practice developed on arms sales in connection with the observance of humanitarian criteria.