Government Reaffirms Ban on Arms Shipments Under National Flag

Government Reaffirms Ban on Arms Shipments Under National Flag

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has reaffirmed its position that no vessel registered under the national flag should be used to transport arms or ammunition to conflict zones, including the ongoing war in Gaza.

During the post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said it is “a policy of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, in particular in relation to what is taking place in Israel and Gaza, that we will not support or have anyone affiliated with the flag or Antigua and Barbuda engaging in the provision of arms or ammunition to either side in that conflict.”

He added that vessels found in violation of this policy will be deregistered, stating that “the Prime Minister was quite adamant on this, stating that Antigua flagships will be deflagged.”

Merchant explained that the registration process includes requirements to declare cargo through a shipping manifest, which enables authorities to detect violations. “There are different procedures that must be followed before registration takes place,” he said. “And, of course, if you are shipping, you have your manifest. And so you must disclose what your cargo is… that leads to discovery.”

He noted that this is how the Department of Marine Affairs was able to identify a vessel carrying arms and begin the process of deregistration. “That is how the Department of Marine Affairs were able to flag or to discover the cargo of this vessel and to put out a warning and to indicate that the process of deregistration would proceed because of the cargo,” he said.

Merchant also emphasized that the policy reflects the government’s wider diplomatic stance on the Gaza conflict. “The government abhors what seems to be or what many would describe as genocide on the Palestinian people,” he said, adding that the administration has “consistently utilized its offices around the world to call on Israel and its partners to end this senseless conflict.”

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