Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website] on Tuesday urged [press release] EU officials to adhere to a 2013 suspension on arms transfers with Egypt in order to prevent human rights violations. According to AI, the suspension was put in place “after hundreds of protesters were killed [JURIST report] in a show of grossly excessive force by security forces in August 2013,” but a dozen member states are still participating in arms deals with the country. AI pointed out the reckless nature of transferring all types of weapons to Egypt with no assurance of how they will be used despite the vast evidence of human rights violations. AI also stated that by continuing to provide weapons to Egypt, member states are risking complicity in the country’s actions. Adding to the suspension being ignored, there is also talk among member states of abandoning the suspension altogether following “last year’s decision by the USA to resume military aid to Egypt to the tune of $1.3 billion annually.” AI stands against this, calling on the EU and all member states to:

Impose and fully implement a binding embargo on transfers of security and policing equipment to Egypt…Impose a ‘presumption of denial’ policy on transfers of arms intended for use by Egypt’s armed forces and air force…Maintain this embargo and ‘presumption of denial’ policy until the Egyptian authorities put in place effective safeguards to prevent further serious violations by security forces.

AI cited the Arms Trade Treaty [UN materials] and the EU’s Common Position on arms exports [text, PDF] as supporting a suspension to prevent and deter Egypt’s actions.

Egypt [BBC profile] has been internationally scrutinized in recent months over allegations of human rights infringements and free speech violations. Earlier this month Egyptian officials announced the conviction and prison sentences of over one hundred demonstrators who were peacefully assembling without a permit [JURIST report]. Also this month three UN rights experts urged [JURIST report] the Egyptian government to end its oppressive response towards human rights advocates in the country. In early May an Egyptian court sentenced [JURIST report] six people, including three journalists, to death for allegedly leaking state secrets to Qatar. Last month Egypt’s Court of Cassation overturned the five-year prison sentences of 35 Al-Azhar students, ordering a retrial [JURIST report]. Earlier in April three UN human rights experts urged Egypt to cease its cease [JURIST report] its ongoing crackdown on humans rights defenders and organizations.