The same industry also feeds the causes that force people to flee, by continuing to supply weapons to the regions of the Middle East and (North-)Africa, which are characterized by violence and chaos. Countries at war, with armed internal conflicts, human rights violators and authoritarian and repressive regimes are all on the list of European arms customers.
Research also shows how the lobby of the military and security industry helps to shape the European border security policy through close cooperation with EU institutions and the influence of research policy. This contributes to a policy in which migration is seen primarily as a security problem, which must be combated with increasing deployment of military personnel and military means.
In a series of reports, blogs and articles, Stop Wapenhandel summarizes EU policy and its consequences. The role of the military and security industry is also documented, and the most important companies are identified.
Press release: UK-French border cooperation at Calais increases violence against and risks for refugees
Border Wars II: an update on the arms industry profiting from Europe’s refugee tragedy – December 2016
Border Wars: the arms dealers profiting from Europe’s refugee tragedy – July 2016
Summary: Dutch – German – French – Italian – Spanish
Report in Spanish: Guerras de Frontera
EU and military and security industry meet on future of EUROSUR – February 2018
Arms industry fuels and profits from refugee tragedy – September 2015
Horizon 2020: more money for building Fortress Europe – January 2014
Algeria, Morocco naval built-up supports EU anti-immigration policies (and the Dutch arms industry) – November 2013
Selling border militarization as a humanitarian effort – October 2013
Military industry profits from governments’ violations of rights of refugees – July 2013
Frontex eyes drones to further war on immigration – March 2012
Frontex – new customer for the arms industry – September 2011
EU border security, cooperation with Asia, and military industry profiting – April 2017
The Military and Security Industy: Promoting Europe’s Refugee Regime – November 2020
Militarisation of the European Union: fresh money for the military industry (with Laetitia Sedou and Bram Vranken) – November 2020
