UK Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia Unlawful

Campaigners have won a legal challenge over the UK government’s decision to allow arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which is engaged in the war in Yemen. Campaign Against Arms Trade argued the decision to continue to license military equipment for export to the Gulf state was unlawful. It said there was a clear risk the arms might be used in a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Judges said licences should be reviewed but would not be immediately suspended.

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said the government would not grant any new licences for export to Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners while it considers the implications of the judgment. A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Theresa May said the government was “disappointed” and would be seeking permission to appeal against the judgment.

Under UK export policy, military equipment licences should not be granted if there is a “clear risk” that weapons might be used in a “serious violation of international humanitarian law”. Giving judgment at the Court of Appeal in London, Master of the Rolls Sir Terence Etherton said the government “made no concluded assessments of whether the Saudi-led coalition had committed violations of international humanitarian law in the past, during the Yemen conflict, and made no attempt to do so”. He said the government “must reconsider the matter” and estimate any future risks.

BBC News, https://is.gd/hkxCu7