The UN arms embargo on the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been violated by agents close to the Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC governments, according to a report published by Amnesty International (an IANSA member). Read the press release here.

Democratic Republic of Congo: arming the east reveals the role played by arms dealers, brokers and transporters from many countries including Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Israel, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, the UK and USA.

The report also provides evidence of the continuing role of the notorious arms broker, Victor Bout, who has secretly armed all sides in the DRC conflict.

Amnesty is calling for the UN arms embargo to be strengthened with severe restrictions imposed on any State found to be exporting arms to armed groups in the DRC. All airports in the eastern DRC should be monitored by specialised UN inspectors 24 hours a day. Amnesty is also calling on all States to ensure that violations of UN arms embargoes are made a serious criminal offence.

Support the campaign for an international Arms Trade Treaty, join the Million Faces petition here.