Lawyers acting for the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) have accused the UK government of breaching international law by selling British-made missiles and military equipment to Saudi Arabia which, they say, may have been used against civilians in Yemen. They've prepared a legal letter which warns that the government is failing in its legal obligation to take steps that prevent the violation of international humanitarian law.
The letter references the EU Council Common Position on rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment which require member states to deny export licenses if there is "a clear risk" that exported weapons might be used in violation of international humanitarian law. The rules also require states to deny military exports if there is "likelihood of armed conflict between the recipient and another country". Since PM David Cameron took office, the UK has supplied Saudi Arabia with more than $8 billion worth of weapons. But the British are not the only ones selling arms in the Middle East. The United States is the world leader of major weapons transfers in the region, with sales up 23 per cent according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). In the last five years, they've delivered weapons to at least 94 countries, including Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Russia has also equipped Syria and Iran with missiles and other military technology. The Russians are reported to be arming Hezbollah as well.
As armed conflicts in the Middle East continue to drive the number and deaths and refugees to record-breaking highs, what responsibility lies on the countries that supply the weapons being used? .