Local Editor
An MEP for the London Region, Jean Lambert, blasted the UK for selling arms to a number of countries, “including many with records of using them to commit appalling human rights abuses – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bahrain and more.”
Lambert’s Green Party managed to pass a resolution through the European Parliament on Thursday, which calls for an arms embargo to be placed on all countries that fail to uphold international humanitarian law.
The legislation secured cross-party support as London hosted one of the biggest arms fairs in the world.
The Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) takes place every two years and attracts some of the world’s most oppressive regimes including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
“In an ideal world, we’d stop the sale of weapons altogether. However, if that’s not feasible we are morally and legally obliged to ensure they do as little harm as possible. We need to know where the arms we sell are going, who is using them, and why. If countries fail to uphold international humanitarian law, we should stop providing them with military equipment. If Member States don’t comply with this rule, they must face real consequences,” Lambert added. “It’s time for the UK Government to recognise this direction of travel, and shut down the DSEI festival of violence for good.”
British arms exports to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have faced intense scrutiny from rights groups since the start of the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, which has killed thousands.
Source: LualuaTV, Edited by Website Team
