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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It’s sad Israel was allowed to openly life stream war crimes and killing of the people. Before media and official openly call it a genocidal apartheid
@Young Antiguan Communist: Do you like France? Why you don’t protest and loudly condemns all genocidal France is doing in Africa in the recently decades and how FRance is controlling the Economies keep those countries like real salves under them? They are really people like you suffering long long oppressions from France.
I am glad that Hamas live-streamed what it did on Saturday 7th October 2023 so that ignorant fools you will not fool everyone.
Keep going Israel. Fight to the very end even if it means killing every Hamas combatant.
Me glad we standing firm on this. Guns and violence nah for we.
Respect to the government for holding the line. Peace must remain priority.
Antigua flag should represent peace, not war.
Don’t ease up on this. Keep the flag clean.
So proud of this little island holding to high standards.
Stand firm!
How are you going to prove a Antigua Flagged ship is bringing arms to Isreal. If the world police (usa) dont bother to board the ship how will ever be more then conjecture. No western power is likely to board a vessel suspected of brining arms to Isreal. However if it were arms to IRan there would be a armada surrounding the boat. This is the world we live in.