Arms embargo is a type of trade ban imposed by states and international organisations that covers weapons or armaments technology, as well as related services. They are a key tool in international trade policy to limit the spread of weapons and influence geopolitical conflicts.
Arm embargoes are often controversial. In academic and policy circles they are regarded as largely ineffective. Embargo busting practices by sending countries and a lack of international enforcement are believed to fundamentally undermine embargo success (Bondi 2002, Kaempfer and Lowenberg 2009).
Even where arms embargoes are in place there are ways around them. Front companies, third countries and smuggling routes are all used to get around arms embargoes. As a result, arms embargoes are widely perceived to be ineffective as weapons and equipment are still sold to conflict-related actors.
However, when properly implemented, an arms embargo can have significant impacts. It can prevent the transfer of weapons that would enable a warring faction to continue its violent agenda and reduce the number of people it can kill. It can also increase the expected cost of committing mass atrocities, thereby deterring potential perpetrators from committing them.
However, an arms embargo needs to be accompanied by a comprehensive sanctions regime. This includes monitoring of compliance with the arms embargo by a sanctions committee and its panel of experts. These bodies need to be staffed, trained and able to conduct thorough investigations. They should also be able to report violations and have unhindered access to persons, documents and sites that they need for their work.
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