Local Editor
Amnesty International called a UK court ruling, which authorized arms supplies to Saudi Arabia, a “deadly blow” for Yemeni civilians.
Earlier on Monday, London's High Court rejected a case against the UK government that tried to halt multi-billion-dollar arms sales to Riyadh.
The Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) argued the weapons could be used in Yemen in violation of international humanitarian law. The group asked the court to block export licenses for British-made bombs, fighter jets and other munitions being used by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
“This is a deeply disappointing outcome which gives a green light to the UK authorities – and potentially Saudi Arabia’s other arms suppliers – to continue authorizing arms transfers to the Kingdom despite the clear risk they will be used to commit violations,” said James Lynch, Amnesty’s Head of Arms Control and Human Rights.
2015, the Saudis launched a military campaign aimed at reinstating the ousted Yemeni regime of Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. But the campaign has failed to achieve any of its stated military objectives, killing over 12,000 civilians and creating famine-like conditions in Yemen.
“Extensive and credible reports, including Amnesty International’s own research on the ground in Yemen, have in our view demonstrated that such weapons have been used to commit serious violations, including war crimes, against civilians in Yemen and that – in light of the clear risk – authorizing further transfers would be counter to the UK’s obligations under international law,” Lynch added. “The verdict is a deadly blow for Yemenis under attack from a Saudi Arabia-led coalition bolstered by UK-manufactured weapons.”
UK domestic law and customary international law require London to ensure that its arms transfers are not used to commit human rights violations.
“Irrespective of this ruling, the UK and other governments should end their shameless arms supplies to Saudi Arabia. They may amount to lucrative trade deals, but the UK risks aiding and abetting these terrible crimes,” said James Lynch.
Source: Lualua, Edited by Website Team
