MPs discuss parliamentary oversight of arms controls

Press Release – Tuesday 13 March 2007

MPs discuss parliamentary oversight of arms controls

In the first meeting of its kind, Ukrainian MPs, NGO representatives and government officials met in Kiev yesterday to discuss parliamentary oversight of Ukraine’s arms transfer controls. It is hoped that the event, which took place at International Centre for Policy Studies (ICPS) in Kiev and was jointly organised by Saferworld and ICPS, will pave the way for Ukrainian MPs to play a greater role in scrutinising future arms transfers.

The meeting provided a constructive forum for participants to exchange views on how the role currently played by Verkhovna Rada could be further developed and strengthened in relation to overseeing Ukrainian arms controls. Among the ideas voiced by participants was that of creating a sub-committee under the Supreme Rada’s Committee for National Security and Defence with a specific remit to scrutinise Ukrainian policy and practice in the area of arms transfer controls. Participants also discussed possible changes in the Committee's scrutiny proceedings and new legislative initiatives. Participants agreed on the importance of transparency in the area of arms transfers and the positive role that civil society organisations have to play in monitoring and analysing the government's policy and practice in this area. The discussion also covered the need for Ukraine to learn from, and adapt to its specific needs, best international practice in the area of arms transfer controls. Particular attention was given to the UK and wider EU experience including the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports which has been an important benchmark in strengthening EU systems of export control and parliamentary scrutiny.

The meeting follows the successful visit by a delegation of Ukrainian MPs to the UK earlier this month, which allowed members of the Supreme Rada to gain valuable insight into the role that British parliamentarians and civil society groups play in oversight of the British arms transfer control system. During the visit the Ukrainian MPs attended the meeting of a British parliamentary committee responsible for scrutinising the UK’s arms policy and practice. They also met with officials from a number of government departments to discuss their views on the role played by parliament and civil society organisations in the process, the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, the UK licensing and reporting system and other topics relating to the effective regulation of conventional arms transfers.

Also taking part in the visit were representatives of three Ukrainian NGOs keen to engage further in promoting international best practice in arms transfer monitoring.

“Parliamentarians in Ukraine have a vital role to play in ensuring accountability and democratic oversight of Ukrainian arms transfer controls. The government of Ukraine has indicated a willingness to engage in this area by supporting international initiatives such as the UN Resolution on an Arms Trade Treaty and through legislative changes at a national level, but these moves must be developed and supported with lively and informed parliamentary involvement. Saferworld welcomes the interest shown by Ukrainian parliamentarians in this issue and will continue to offer them any assistance they deem appropriate.” said Robert Parker, Head of Europe, Saferworld.



ENDS
Notes to Editors:
(1) Facilitating these meetings with Saferworld were the International Centre of Policy Studies (ICPS), the Scientific and Technical Centre for the export and import of special technologies, hardware and materials (STC) and the Centre for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies (CACDS).
(2) The visit was sponsored by the British Embassy in Kiev and comprised four MPs, all members of the Committee for National Security and Defence:
• Yurii Samoilenko
• Oleksandr Skybinetskyi
• Stepan Bulba
• Oleh Kalashnikov

Saferworld is an independent non-governmental organisation that works to prevent armed violence (www.saferworld.org.uk).

For further information, please contact:
Denis Krivosheev, Project Co-ordinator, Eastern Europe, Saferworld
Tel: +44 (0)207 324 4631
Email: dkrivosheev@saferworld.org.uk

Valerii Vodolaskov, STC International

Tel: +380 44 463 5832

E-mail: vodolaskov@ntc.kiev.ua