(Updated 6 Nov 2018)
In the light of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi there is a renewed public focus on the human rights abuses of the government of Saudi Arabia. See Following the murder of Jamal Khashoggi the UK must halt arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
The conflict in Yemen has killed over 10,000 civilians to date.[1]http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/top-official-10000-civilians-killed-yemen-conflict-44806431 It has caused nearly three million people to flee their homes and the country is now in the grip of a cholera epidemic.
Human right groups have submitted substantial documentary evidence of atrocities against civilians and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has referred to serious allegations of violations of International Humanitarian Law by all parties.
In February 2017 a judicial review was brought to the High Court in London presenting accounts of the bombing of civilians that the claimants said amounted to gross violations of International Humanitarian Law. Although the High Court turned down the case, the UK Government can still act to protect the people of Yemen.
We are therefore calling on the UK government to:
- Immediately suspend any further licenses of arms to Saudi Arabia.
- Use its influence to call for a full UN-led investigation of possible crimes against humanity on the part of all parties to the conflict in Yemen
Please consider writing to your MP to express your concern for what is happening in Yemen. Below you will find the draft text of an email that you can simply cut and paste and send to your MP, or download as a Word document at the bottom of the page.
You can also amend the text to give it your personal touch, which MPs do appreciate.
If you do not know who your MP is, click on the link below, type in your postcode and it will provide you with your MPs contact details:
Letter to MPs:
Dear XXXXX MP,
I am writing to you to express my concern about the appalling civilian death toll in the Yemen and the UK Government’s role through its sale of arms to Saudi Arabia. The killing of Jamal Khashoggi demonstrates only to clearly Saudi Arabia’s disregard for international human rights standards. You will no doubt be aware that according to the UN the conflict has killed over 10,000 civilians to date and caused nearly three million people to flee their homes. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has referred to serious allegations of violations of International Humanitarian Law by all parties. The bombing by the Saudi-led coalition includes attacks on residential areas, marketplaces, medical and educational facilities, and public and private infrastructure. In August 2018, 40 children died when a missile struck their school bus. There have been 50 strikes on civilian vehicles recorded this year.Although a judicial review of UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia was turned down by the High Court, in February 2017, the judgement did stress that the Government must deny export licences if there is a “clear risk” that the arms “might” be used in “a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law”. As strikes on civilians targets continue this clear risk is undeniable. The UK can no longer place its faith in the Saudi Government’s internal investigation of these atrocities.There is extensive support by UK military forces to the Saudi military and particularly to the air force. Given the very clear evidence of atrocities committed including the bombing of civilians areas, it is imperative that the UK takes immediate action to ensure the protection of civilians.As my Member of Parliament please would you ask the Foreign Secretary to: –- Immediately suspend any further licenses of arms to Saudi Arabia,
- Use its influence to call for a full UN-led investigation of possible crimes against humanity on the part of all parties to the conflict in Yemen
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you,
Yours sincerely [name]Download as a Word document here.
