Manual ScreenshotThis database evaluates the correspondence of 170 countries altogether to seven criteria, which are roughly based on those spelled out in the EU Code of Conduct for Arms Exports. For each criteria, a country is classified as either “green”, “yellow” or “red” with each colour indicating the respective degree of correspondence. By clicking on the button “show details” located next to the “traffic lights” you can view the different indictators, which were used to arrive at the final evaluation. An overview of the formulas employed for each criteria can be dowloaded as a PDF document here.

Map ScreenshotThe interactive map presents an additional option for accessing the content of the database. At a single glance, it provides the user with a global overview as to how countries correspond to the seven criteria, each of which may be selected and overlaid with information concerning approved German arms exports. By clicking on a country, further information may be accessed.

A so-called Arms Export Tree with three sub-folders is located on the left-hand side of the interactive map (next to the map frame). By opening the folder EU Code of Conduct and activating the respective layer, the user can select an evaluation criterion to be displayed on the map. Furthermore, by opening the folder German Arms Exports and selecting the layers, each of the seven criteria can be overlaid with information concerning approved German arms exports.

Country specific information can also be accessed through the map. Having selected one of the criteria, a query for every country is possible by, first, activating the Query Button in the menu bar above the map and, second, clicking on a country of interest. It might be necessary to zoom into the lap beforehand. This can be done by activating either the Zoom By Re-Tangle Button or the Zoom-In-Button.

Finally, the user may also print out the current view of the map, which is shown within the map frame (i.e. the whole world or only a specific region of interest). Clicking the Print Button in the menu bar opens a new window with a print dialog for the creation of a pdf-document.

  1. International or Regional Arms Embargoes
    Checks whether the country is subject to UN or EU arms embargoes. If classified as “red”, there is an arms embargo in force against the entire state, “yellow” would indicate an embargo against non-state forces operating within the territory of that country, and “green” that no embargo is currently in place.
  2. Adherence to Human Rights
    By considering membership in international human rights conventions as well as taking into account different indices as they are published, for example, by Freedom House or the World Bank, this criteria evaluates a country’s overall adherence to human rights. “Red” indicates that there are serious human rights problems in the country, whereas “yellow” points to at least some concern with human rights issues.
  3. “Good Governance”
    Rates the overall degree of democracy within the political culture and the effectiveness of governance instruments. Sources consulted include, amongst others, the Polity IV Index as well as the Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International. “Red” indicates serious shortcomings in questions of democracy and governance. On the other hand, “green” would suggest an overall compliance with principles of “good governance”.
  4. Internal Conflict
    Relying on the “Conflict Barometer” published by the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research (HIIK) as well as on informaton provided by the Arbeitsgruppe Kriegsursachenforschung at the University of Hamburg, this criteria rates the degree of violent conflict within the respective country. Whereas “red” would point to the frequent and organized use of force, “yellow” could also indicate a state of political instability and/or sporadic violence.
  5. Membership in Human Rights and Arms Control Conventions
    Checks the degree to which the country has ratified selected international conventions concerning human rights, arms control and transnational crime. If a country is classified as “red” sufficient ratification of international treaties is clearly lacking.
  6. Arms Export Controls
    Based on information provided in the “Bite the Bullet” Report of the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), this criteria rates the efficiency of arms export control mechanisms within the selected country.
  7. Danger of disportionate military capacities impairing development
    Checks whether an unproportionately high share of military expenditure, military personnel and arms imports may have a negative effect upon both human and economic development (Criteria 8 of the EU Code of Conduct). If rated as “red”, there is a clear danger that this may be indeed the case. Military data is based upon information obtained from both the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) as well as from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London.