Canada suspends arms exports to Turkey over Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict

Canada has suspended arms export permits to Turkey over concerns that it is using its technology in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The statement released by Foreign Affairs Minister on 6th of October, 2020 said that “In line with Canada’s robust export control regime and due to the ongoing hostilities.”

Francois-Philippe Champagne said, “I have suspended the relevant export permits to Turkey, so as to allow time to further assess the situation.”

The executive director of the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC), Sevag Belian, urged the federal government to “immediately halt all Canadian military aid to Turkey” and also called on it to condemn Azerbaijan’s actions.

“Canada’s export of WESCAM sensors to Turkey poses a substantial risk of facilitating human suffering,” explained the group, “including violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.”

Turkey supports Azerbaijan but has denied Armenia’s accusations that it has sent fighters and deployed fighter jets in the conflict.

It has responded to Canada’s move with claims that Ottawa is employing double standards.