ANTI-ARMS campaigners were granted permission today to take the government to court over its decision to renew arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
The action is part of an ongoing legal challenge by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) to end sales to the kingdom over its use of the weapons on civilians in Yemen.
In June 2019, the Court of Appeal ruled that the government acted unlawfully when it licensed British-made arms sales to Saudi-led forces without making an assessment as to whether past incidents amounted to breaches of international humanitarian laws (IHL).
The government was ordered not to approve any new licences and to retake the decisions on extant licences in a lawful manner.
UK arms export criteria say that if there is a “clear risk” that a weapon might be used in a serious violation of international humanitarian law (IHL) then an arms export should not be licensed – although in practice very few sales are halted.
The Saudi-led coalition that is fighting against Houthi rebels in Yemen is accused of engaging in indiscriminate bombing, which has contributed to 8,759 civilian deaths in the country according to the Yemen Data Project.
Sarah Waldron, of Campaign Against Arms Trade, said: “UK-made weapons have been central to a bombardment that has destroyed schools, hospitals and homes and created the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.”
High court to hear legal battle over UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BAE Systems sold weaponry worth £17 6bn to Saudis duri dailymaverick.co.za - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailymaverick.co.za Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.