South African Court Orders Authorities to Suspend Arms Exports to Myanmar

The High Court in Pretoria has ordered South Africa's regulators to halt arms exports to Myanmar because the Asian country's military has ousted the civilian government, according to the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC), a local NGO on behalf of which filed the lawsuit.

"Today, the SALC [...] was granted an order by the Gauteng Division of the High Court (Pretoria) setting aside permits that were granted by the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) to facilitate arms transfers to Myanmar. The order further declares that the NCACC has an obligation to suspend any contract or export permit of arms to a country that (i) has experienced an unconstitutional change of government and/or (ii) is reasonably suspected, by a special rapporteur, independent expert, or other person working in terms of a United Nations mandate, of having committed any crime against humanity, war crime, or genocide," the statement read.

Between 2017 and 2021, South Africa supplied weapons worth $11.8 million to Myanmar, according to the SALC. The NCACC is a government agency that monitors compliance with national and international legislation on arms exports.

"Arms exports to a country that violates human rights and that underwent a military coup are illegal. This order is crucial in creating a more responsible and accountable arms trade regime in South Africa. It shows that human rights and international law are limiting factors for arms exports. The example of Myanmar illustrates that words of condemnation or concern are not sufficient. Fighting for human rights requires action in the form of applying the law and suspending and/or canceling permits if needed," SALC’s International Justice Cluster Lead, Atilla Kisla, was quoted as saying.

Russia's Special Operation in Ukraine

Western Sponsors Turn a Blind Eye as Kiev Regime Continues Assault on Human Rights

29 April, 14:33

Reading Kisla's words, one cannot help but recall another country that suffered a coup and has been pumped up with weapons while being accused of human rights violations. This country, as you may have guessed, is Ukraine.

Talking about the most recent crime reports, The New York Times reported, citing Caspar Grosse, a medic with the international volunteer unit Chosen in Ukraine (aligned with Ukrainian forces), that pro-Kiev fighters brutally killed a Russian prisoner who sought medical help. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded by criticizing the American media for neglecting known atrocities committed by the Kiev regime.

Furthermore, in April, Ukraine informed the Council of Europe of its decision to suspend parts of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms due to martial law. This includes restrictions on housing inviolability, privacy, correspondence confidentiality, freedom of movement, and freedom of speech.

Also, Ukraine postponed the May elections, raising questions about Zelensky’s legitimacy.

Additionally, since the start of the Russian special military operation aimed at defending the people of the Donbass region—who have endured a blockade and regular attacks by Kiev regime forces since the 2014 coup—the country has been receiving weapons from the West.

However, the supplies continue. Moreover, the US has escalated its involvement: in late May, a US State Department spokesperson informed Sputnik that President Biden had authorized Ukrainian strikes using US-supplied weapons within Russian territory for counter-fire purposes in the Kharkov region. Yet he did not permit the use of long-range missiles, such as ATACMS, within Russia.