A deal worth defending? The UK's arms trade and the war in Yemen

Research conducted by War Child UK has revealed that UK arms companies are reaping double the revenues previously estimated from arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

Overview 

Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition of countries fighting a brutal war in Yemen, and waging a bombing campaign that has killed and maimed thousands of children. This has contributed to a humanitarian crisis that has left millions more on the brink of starvation. The Saudi-led coalition is emboldened to carry out these attacks by the military and diplomatic support it receives from countries like the UK.   

Yet despite this crisis, and evidence that British weapons are being used to violate international humanitarian law in Yemen, the UK Government continues to grant export licences for arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The only winners from this immoral trade are the big arms companies and their shareholders, reaping huge profits while children are killed, disfigured and starved to death.   

The UK must: 

  • Immediately suspend arms transfers and military support to Saudi Arabia which could be used to commit or facilitate further serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in Yemen.  
  • End any, and all, assistance being granted to the Saudi-led coalition in respect of its intervention in the Yemeni civil war. 
  • Support an independent UN investigation into reported war crimes in Yemen. 
  • Publish an assessment of the extent to which the UK’s support of the Saudi-led coalition’s military intervention in Yemen generates resentment towards the UK which could, in worse case scenarios, drive people towards extremist groups who plan on attacking UK citizens and assets.  
  • Pressure the Saudi-led coalition to end its blockade of Yemen, so that vital humanitarian and commercial supplies can enter and reach those most in need.  
  • Vocally endorse the 2017 UN Secretary General’s report on Children and Armed Conflict, which lists all countries and groups that have committed grave violations against children.  
  • Fully implement the provisions of the Arms Trade Treaty and encourage all other arms exporters to do the same. 
  • Continue and expand humanitarian aid, lobbying other governments to increase funding. 

 

Download the report to read more.