- 76% oppose the promotion of arms sales to human rights abusing regimes
- 68% oppose arms exports to Saudi Arabia, the largest buyer of UK arms
- 64% oppose government organising arms fairs attended by human rights abusers
On the opening day of Defence & Security Equipment International 2017 (DSEI), one of the biggest arms fairs in the world, Campaign Against Arms Trade has published new polling results that show the scale of public opposition to the arms trade.
The polling of over 2000 adults, carried out by Opinium LLP, shows that 76% of UK adults oppose the government’s role in promoting arms exports to countries with poor human rights records (6% disagree).
Similarly, 63% of people oppose arms sales to countries that are NOT democracies (9% disagree), and almost eight in ten (77%) believe that the government should NOT promote arms sales to buyers that have been accused of violating International Humanitarian Law (5% disagree).
DSEI is organised by Clarion events, with the support of the Ministry of Defence and Department of International Trade. Over seven in ten (71%) believe that the government should NOT be involved in organising arms fairs that human rights abusing regimes are invited to.
Andrew Smith of Campaign Against Arms Trade said:
The overwhelming majority of the public oppose arms exports to brutal and oppressive regimes, yet the arms sales keep flowing. None of this would be possible without the full support of civil servants and government ministers, who have consistently prioritised arms sales over human rights.
The guest list for DSEI had a number of dictatorships and human rights abusing regimes on it, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey. The public overwhelmingly opposes arms exports to these countries.
- 68% oppose arms sales to Saudi Arabia (with 12% supporting)
- 68% oppose arms sales to Turkey (with 13% supporting)
- 67% oppose arms sales to Egypt (with 11% supporting)
Andrew continued:
It is shameful that the government is welcoming despots and dictatorships to the UK to buy weapons. The weapons being promoted at DSEI are deadly and could be used to fuel war and conflict for years to come. If the government cares for human rights and democracy then it’s time to end its support for arms fairs like DSEI.
The full results of the poll are available upon request. If you are writing about DSEI then CAAT can provide case studies, background information and analysis of the arms trade.
ENDS
For further information please contact Andrew at media(at)caat·org·uk or call 020 7281 0297.
