- One week until High Court hears judicial review into legality of arms exports to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen
- Judicial review follows application by Campaign Against Arms Trade
- UK has licensed over £3.3 billion worth of arms to Saudi forces since bombing of Yemen began in March 2015
Next week, on 7, 8 and 10 of February, the High Court in London will hear a judicial review into the legality of UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia for use in the ongoing bombing of Yemen. The review follows an application by Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT).
As set out in the claim, a range of international organisations including a UN Panel of Experts, the European Parliament and many humanitarian NGOs, have condemned the ongoing Saudi air strikes against Yemen as unlawful. The violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) found by the bodies listed include:
- A failure to take all precautions in attack as required by IHL
- Attacks causing disproportionate harm to civilians and civilian objects.
- A failure to adhere to the principle of distinction and/or the targeting of civilians and civilian objects and those not directly participating in hostilities.
- The destruction of Cultural Property and/or a failure to adhere to the immunity to be afforded to such property during armed conflict.
Andrew Smith of Campaign Against Arms Trade said:
For almost two years now, the UK has been complicit in the destruction of Yemen. UK fighter jets and bombs have played a central role in the bombardment, and UK political support has helped to underpin and legitimise it.
We are always being told that the UK stands for free speech and democracy, yet it has sold billions of pounds worth of arms to one of the most brutal and repressive regimes in the world to use against one of the poorest countries in the region.
UK arms export licensing criteria say that licences should not be granted if there is a clear risk that equipment might be used in violation of IHL. By any reasonable understanding this should end arms exports to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen.
The review is the first times that UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia has been scrutinised in this way. For decades now Saudi Arabia has been by far the largest buyer of UK arms. Saudi forces are using UK licensed fighter jets, bombs and missiles in its ongoing bombardment of Yemen.
- £2.2 billion worth of ML10 licences (Aircraft, helicopters, drones)
- £1.1 billion worth of ML4 licences (Grenades, bombs, missiles, countermeasures)
- £430,000 worth of ML6 licences (Armoured vehicles, tanks)
Andrew continued:
The UK has supported the Saudi-led bombing right from the start. The message it has sent to the Saudi Monarchy is one of uncritical support, and the message it has sent to those being killed in Yemen is that their rights, and their lives, are of less importance than arms company profits.
The claim which will be considered calls on the Department of International Trade to suspend all extant licences and stop issuing further arms export licences to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen while it holds a full review into the compatibility of the exports with UK and EU legislation.
If you are planning to write about the legal challenge, or to attend the High Court hearings then CAAT can provide background details and briefings on the UK’s political and military relationship with Saudi Arabia.
ENDS
For further information please contact Andrew at media(at)caat·org·uk or call 020 7281 0297 or 07990 673232.
