On 26 February 2011 the United Nations Security Council imposed an arms embargo on Libya. It was imposed in reaction to gross and systematic violation of human rights, including the repression of peaceful demonstrators by the Libyan government.
On 28 April 2011 the UN arms embargo on Côte d'Ivoire was extended for one year and modified to also include the supply of vehicles to the Ivorian security forces.
On 10 May 2011 the European Union imposed an arms embargo on Syria in response to the violent repression by Syrian government forces of peaceful protests. It called on the Syrian security forces to exercise restraint.
On 25 March 2011 ECOWAS lifted its arms embargo on Guinea, which had been imposed in September 2009.
On 17 June 2011 the United Nations Security Council divided its previous arms embargoes on Al-Qaida, the Taliban and associated individuals and entities into one embargo for Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities and a separate embargo for the Taliban.
On 20 June 2011 the European Union imposed an arms embargo on Belarus to strengthen its existing sanctions on the leadership of the country in response to the deteriorating human rights, democracy and rule-of-law situation in Belarus.
On 18 July 2011 the European Union amended its arms embargo on Sudan so that it would cover arms supplies to both Sudan and the newly independent state of South Sudan.
On 16 September 2011 the United Nations Security Council amended its arms embargo on Libya by allowing arms transfers to the new Libyan authorities, the National Transitional Council (NTC).
On 29 November 2011 the UN arms embargo on non-governmental Forces in the DRC was extended for one year.
On 3 December 2011 the League of Arab States imposed an arms embargo on Syria. It was imposed in reaction to the Syrian government's violent repression of protests. This was the first time the League of Arab States imposed an arms embargo.
Last updated 5 December, 2011.