Statement by the District Advisory Council for Participation and Integration Center on German arms exports to crisis and conflict regions

Human rights, human dignity and peace as a yardstick:

In view of Germany's obligations under human rights and international law, we are in favour of handling the export of weapons in crisis and conflict regions much more restrictively and consistently aligning existing licensing practices with strict human rights and international law criteria.

Reason:

As members of this Advisory Board and as people in Berlin-Mitte who are in direct contact with communities affected by war, flight and migration, we see a close connection between global conflict dynamics and our local work in the district. Many residents are affected by conflicts themselves or within their families, in which internationally traded armaments also play a role. This poses particular challenges for integration policy, social and psychosocial work.

1. Expanded protection of human dignity: The task of our Advisory Board is to protect the dignity and rights of people with a history of migration in Germany and Berlin Mitte. However, this protection mandate must not only begin at the German border. Human dignity is indivisible. We must work to protect people's dignity in their home countries before they are forced to flee through violence and destruction.

2. Combat the causes of flight: Exports of arms to crisis areas fuel conflicts and are one of the main causes of flight and expulsion. It is not enough to react exclusively to the consequences of flight without consistently limiting structural causes at the same time.

3. Responsibility under international law and the local dimension of arms production: We view the expansion of Rheinmetall production capacities in Berlin-Moabit with concern. Many people in Mitte fled from bombs and war in their homes. Our district stands for diversity, solidarity and peaceful coexistence. Berlin-Mitte must remain a place of peace.

District Advisory Council for Participation and Integration Center

03.06.2026