News reports from Johannesburg quote a leaked government classified document that says South Africa has exported weapons worth millions of dollars to some of the world's most repressive regimes.
The report says South Africa has sold weapons to five of the 10 least democratic states on the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index. It also has sold weapons to 10 of the 25 worst performers on the Global Peace Index.
Recipient countries with poor democracy and human rights records reportedly include Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Burundi, China, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen.
South Africa's arms sales have been under the spotlight since opposition politicians accused the government of selling weapons to Libya, which they said leader Muammar Qaddafi's forces are now using against civilians.
compiled from agency reports
The report says South Africa has sold weapons to five of the 10 least democratic states on the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index. It also has sold weapons to 10 of the 25 worst performers on the Global Peace Index.
Recipient countries with poor democracy and human rights records reportedly include Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Burundi, China, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen.
South Africa's arms sales have been under the spotlight since opposition politicians accused the government of selling weapons to Libya, which they said leader Muammar Qaddafi's forces are now using against civilians.
compiled from agency reports
