London – A British court on Monday ruled that there was little risk of Saudi forces committing “serious violations” of international humanitarian law, rejecting a legal challenge that had called for the suspension of arms sales to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen.
Lawyers for the London-based Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) argued that the exports contravened Britain’s arms export policy, which required the government to deny export licences if there is a “clear risk” that the weapons could be used in actions that seriously violated humanitarian law.
But the High Court ruled that “Saudi processes and procedures have been put in place to secure respect for the principles of international humanitarian law.”
CAAT said it plans to appeal the judgement. It highlighted “serious allegations” of possible violations of international humanitarian law in Saudi Arabia’s “ongoing bombardment of Yemen.”
It said thousands of people had died in the bombardment, which had “destroyed vital infrastructure, including schools and hospitals,” exacerbated a recent cholera outbreak and displaced millions of people in Yemen.
Human rights groups criticised a British court ruling on Monday that said there was little risk of Saudi forces committing “serious violations” of international humanitarian law while using British-bought arms in war-torn Yemen.
Amnesty International said the ruling was a “deadly blow” to Yemeni civilians, after the High Court rejected a legal challenge that had called for the suspension of arms sales to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen.
“This is a deeply disappointing outcome which gives a green light to the UK authorities – and potentially Saudi Arabia’s other arms suppliers – to continue authorising arms transfers to the Kingdom despite the clear risk they will be used to commit violations,” James Lynch, Amnesty’s Head of Arms Control and Human Rights, said in a statement.
But the court ruled that “Saudi processes and procedures have been put in place to secure respect for the principles of international humanitarian law.”
The cholera epidemic has killed more than 1,600 people and is expected to have infected some 300,000 people by September, the Red Cross said on Monday.
“Every day we are hearing new and horrifying stories about the humanitarian crisis that has been inflicted on the people of Yemen,” said CAAT’s Andrew Smith.
“For decades the UK has been complicit in the oppression of Saudi people, and now it is complicit in the destruction of Yemen,” Smith said.
Emily Thornberry, the opposition Labour party’s shadow foreign secretary, said on Monday’s ruling was “a frustrating setback.”
“It will not for one second stop us fighting for justice on behalf of the thousands of civilians killed by Saudi airstrikes, and working for peace on behalf of the millions of ordinary Yemenis currently living in fear of violence, famine and cholera,” Thornberry said.
She called for “an independent, UN-led investigation into alleged violations of international humanitarian law by the Saudi coalition.”
George Graham of Save the Children said there was clear evidence that the Saudi-led coalition is “killing children in repeated violations of international humanitarian law.” (Reuters/NAN)