As the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, arrives in the UK for meetings with David Cameron and the Queen, Campaign Against Arms Trade is calling for the UK to end all arms sales to the authoritarian state.
For the last two years Qatar has been identified by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) as a priority market
. for arms sales. In that time the UK has licensed £14 million worth of weapons to the regime, £12 million of which has been in the last 12 months. This has included assault rifles, gun mountings, machine gun components and other deadly wares.
Andrew Smith from CAAT, said:
When David Cameron meets with the Qatari leadership this week he should be talking about human rights and democracy. Unfortunately that’s unlikely, especially when his government has already cited Qatar as a
priority marketfor arms sales.
One particular licence, which CAAT has seen a purchase order for, was for £3.5 million worth of assault rifles from arms company Heckler and Koch’s Nottingham office.*
Last week the UK government was represented in Qatar at a major security/arms fair. Among the delegation were 37 arms companies and Richard Paniguian, head of UKTI’s Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO).
Andrew continued:
Qatar is an authoritarian state with an appalling human rights record. The UK government should not be supporting or promoting any arms sales to to the Emir or working hand in glove with arms companies that are looking to profit from the oppression taking place.
The Qatari regime is an authoritarian one that is characterised by corruption and oppression. It retains capital punishment and practices cruel and degrading penalties for crimes
such as alcohol consumption. LGBT people in Qatar face an environment of intimidation, with a sentence of up to five years for consenting adults.
ENDS
For further information please contact Andrew at media(at)caat·org·uk or call 020 7281 0297.
* If you would like to see a copy of the purchase order then please contact Andrew.
