Selected supplier notified for export of software for military purposes – Anbud365
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Oslo’s “public library”, Deichman, is hit by criticism for the choice of supplier of a new IT system (library system). The supplier is under police investigation in Denmark in connection with the export of software for military purposes. Deichman notes that the supplier has been reported, but neither charged nor convicted. – A notification in itself that the condition for banning the supplier does not strike the library quickly. – Public actors have extra large opportunities to influence respect for human rights, and therefore have an extra responsibility as purchasers, this is what is presented in the criticism.
During the work on the acquisition, Deichman noticed that a supplier was under police investigation in Denmark. The supplier was notified, but not indicted, charged or convicted. – We assessed whether this fulfilled conditions that could exclude the supplier from the open competition to offer a library system. The conclusion was a review in itself, not of the press release.
Export of defense material
In the Danish media, there have been allegations that the supplier may have contributed to war crimes in connection with the export of the defense material, which in this case is software for military purposes. These allegations are the basis for the Parliamentary Defense Committee asking the police to investigate further. The supplier himself has explained his assessment of the stands on his own website: https://systematic.com/da-dk/newsroom/corporate-news/systematics-eksport/
Systematic is criticized for exporting software to the Emirates and for – via their English subsidiary – trying to circumvent a Danish political signal from January 2019 that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would henceforth reject new applications for permits to export military equipment from Denmark to the Emirates. At Systematic, we do not circumvent either Danish or international regulations, says information on its website.
Faces criticism
In Denmark, Danwatch, an independent, researched media and research center, has criticized the company and the software for military purposes. It refers to a document in which the UN Human Rights Council has answered questions from Danwatch. It deals with the responsibility of state (and municipal) actors when they buy from companies that provide military services to states that are accused of human rights violations. – After all, public actors have extra large opportunities to influence respect for human rights, and according to the UN Human Rights Council, they therefore have an extra responsibility as purchasers, it says. States that buy the services of companies with links to alleged war crimes can put themselves in a morally unacceptable situation.
Follows procurement regulations
Deichman emphasizes that it is the Danish police who are responsible for investigating the case. The conditions for the export of weapons/defense material are set by national authorities and through international agreements. Control of exports is done by the authorities. There is no information that the supplier has been charged or prosecuted either, the press release states, and:
– As a library, Deichman is concerned with strengthening democracy, protecting freedom of expression and basic human rights. We condemn regimes and others who violate these. As a purchaser, Deichman is obliged to follow the requirements, framework and conditions set by the Act on Public Procurement. This is a framework we have had to deal with, the library writes in its press release.