This is especially in countries where the military wields political power. Especially objectionable are those governments that use arms to suppress their own population. Numerous states to which European industries sell their weapons do not have what can be described as a democratic government. In these countries, opposition groups such as democracy movements, trade unions or ethnic minorities demanding improved rights, may find themselves confronted by policemen or military forces armed with weapons of European origin. To export arms to countries like this is a blow in the very face of democracy.
European governments are well aware of the objections to the arms trade.
Indeed, most have legislation which restricts the flow of arms to certain countries. Yet arms export is one of the very few economic areas that is not included in European Union regulations. Consequently, individual countries have their own legislation on arms trade. However, restrictions are easily forgotten when a military order is placed. National interests tend to carry more weight than the well-being of people in far away countries.