Defense Policy
Pirates support joint efforts to protect nations of the European Union. Any European Armed forces (existing or newly created) must be put under supervision of the European Parliament, as the directly elected body of the EU.
Pirates want to pay special attention to the stabilization of conflict outbreaks and fragile states, as their instability is a source of problems for the entire international community. Conflict resolution has to be based on respect for International Law.
Pirates reject the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and support the motivation for their gradual elimination from the arsenals of countries that possess them. Pirates want to ban the use of lethal autonomous weapon systems, while preserving the ability to research emerging technologies. Defense investment should be directed more towards research into non-lethal defense means and capabilities.
The Pirates strive for better information sharing on arms export licence decisions and denials, to ensure a coherent EU arms export policy. The EU should further increase its support for Arms Trade Treaty implementation and universalisation to reduce the possibility of export of arms into areas of conflict via countries with loose arms trade regulation. The Pirates demand the application of the UN tool for marking and tracking of military weapons (small arms). All small arms for military use produced in the EU or outside the EU under license of an EU manufacturer have to be marked with a tamper-proof method to ensure that each weapon can be uniquely identified.
Cyber Defense
Pirates are of the opinion that international law also applies to cyberspace. Pirates support the UN Standards for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace, eleven voluntary and non-binding rules that describe what states should and should not do in cyberspace.
In accordance with our principles of technical development and transparent conduct of power, the Pirates support an international treaty on cyber warfare. The treaty will bind signatories to declare any use of cyber weapons. Under cyber weapons falls all software and IT systems that, through ICT networks, monitor, manipulate, deny, disrupt, degrade or destroy targeted information systems or networks of both foreign governments and individuals. Additionally, signatories will commit themselves to not actively undermine the security of civilian systems.
Pirates want clear, transparent criteria and selection procedures for evaluating suppliers and their security. The criteria should include the observance of human rights and the rule of law according to the legal order to which the (final) company, incl. its subcontractors, falls; and also compliance with international law.
An important part of the state’s cyber defense should be its citizens, both actively involved and passively instructed and informed. Pirates promote education and motivation in cybersecurity education, hackatons, and adequate financial evaluation of cyber experts in administration.