Government on the wrong side of international humanitarian law on arms sales to Saudi Arabia for Yemen conflict – Lords to debate report

In the report the Committee disagreed with the Government's assertion that, in its licensing of arms sales to Saudi Arabia during the current hostilities in Yemen, it is “narrowly on the right side” of international humanitarian law. The Committee believes that the Government is “narrowly on the wrong side” of international humanitarian law, and called for a suspension of some key export licenses to members of the coalition.

The report found that, given the volume and type of arms being exported to the Saudi-led coalition, UK arms exports are highly likely to be the cause of significant civilian casualties, risking the contravention of international humanitarian law.

The Committee called on the Government to:

• Give much higher priority to resolving – not just mitigating – the humanitarian situation in Yemen.
• Condemn any further violations of international humanitarian law by the Saudi-led coalition, and be prepared to suspend some key export licenses to members of the coalition. Relying on assurances by Saudi Arabia and Saudi-led review processes is not an adequate way of implementing the obligations for a risk-based assessment set out in the Arms Trade Treaty.
• Signal that failure by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates or Iran to back the Stockholm Agreement in deeds as well as words would have negative consequences for the UK's relations with them.
• Do all it can to support the work of Martin Griffiths, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen. It should put its weight behind the UN peace process and should consider appointing a Special Representative, based in London, to speak to all parties concerned.
• Be more willing to use its role as penholder at the UN Security Council to intervene if peace talks are not progressing and if blockages arise.
• Redouble its diplomatic efforts with all external actors – particularly the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran – to keep them committed to the Hodeidah ceasefire, and its extension to Sanaa and elsewhere in Yemen.

Ahead of the debate Chairman of the House of Lords International Relations Committee Lord Howell of Guildford, said: “More than 22 million Yemenis are in need some kind of humanitarian or protection assistance. This is an unconscionable, manmade crisis. That the UK is the second-largest exporter of arms to Saudi-Arabia, and the fifth-largest donor of humanitarian aid in Yemen is a contradiction which the Government must address as a matter of urgency.

“We hope the Government has thoroughly considered our report, and look forward to hearing its response to our grave concerns about the UK's approach to the conflict.”