1000 Researchers And Scientists Call On European Parliament To Oppose The European Defence Fund

international | eu | press release Wednesday April 17, 2019 17:40 by pm - The People's Movement

Press Release 17 April 2019

Tomorrow the European Parliament will vote on a 13 billion military research and development fund, the so called European Defence Fund. One thousand researchers, scientists and academics from twenty-five European countries call on the Parliament to vote against the Fund. They argue that the EU should tackle the root causes of conflict instead of funding military research.

On Thursday the European Parliament votes on a ‘compromise text’ on the European Defence Fund. This would be a significant break with past European policies, as military funding has until now been excluded from the EU budget.

The 1000 researchers warn of the consequences of an R&D programme for new arms technology. "The establishment of an EU military research programme points towards an unprecedented acceleration in the militarisation of the EU," says Dr Stuart Parkinson, Executive Director of Scientists for Global Responsibility. "Investing EU funds in military research will not only divert resources from more peaceful areas, but is also likely to
fuel arms races, undermining security in Europe and elsewhere".

Nobel peace prize
European weaponry is at the moment being heavily used by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. The war has, according to the United Nations, led to one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in the world.
“It is shocking that at a moment when Europe is complicit in war crimes by sustaining one of the worst conflicts in the world, the EU now wants to pour money into the arms industry to make it even more competitive on global markets.”, says Bram Vranken from the Belgian peace organisation Vredesactie. “This is unworthy of a Nobel Peace Prize-winning organisation.”

Controversial weapons
The scientists warn of funding for controversial weapons, such as armed drones and killer robots. These so-called disruptive technologies have become a priority in the Defence Fund and are set to receive up to 10 percent of overall funding.
Recently there has been consternation in the European Parliament over the lack of ethical oversight of the fund.
“The EU is prioritising highly controversial research, such as the
development of robotic weapon systems. Not only will this exacerbate a global race in such technologies, but this could also lead to an increase in arms exports to repressive regimes and fuel conflict,” says Dr Parkinson.

Press contact: Bram Vranken | 0497 13 14 64 | bram@vredesactie.be
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About Researchers for Peace
Researchers for Peace is a campaign run by the European Network Against Arms Trade, International Network of Engineers and Scientists for Global Responsibility, International Peace Bureau, Vredesactie (Belgium), Scientists for Global Responsibility (UK), Centre Delàs d'Estudis per la Pau (Spain), Rete Italiana per il Disarmo (Italy), and Science Citoyenne (France).
The sign-on statement for researchers – which calls on the European Union to stop funding military research – together with a current list of signatories can be viewed at: http://www.researchersforpeace.eu

Notes
The European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012 – see: https://www.nobelpeaceprize.org/Prize-winners/Winners

Vredesactie is a pluralistic organisation that is part of the peace movement, making a radical plea for a society in which conflicts are resolved without violence or the threat of violence. Vredesactie is an engine for the
development of non-violent action and the realization of a pacifist peace policy.
Vredesactie | Patriottenstraat 27, 2600 Berchem | 03 281 68 39
www.vredesactie.be | contact@vredesactie.be