Stop Arms To Saudi

We have created this campaign in collaboration with Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Amnesty International (University of Liverpool group) and the Green Party.

The United Nations’ Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) states that weapons should not be sold to countries if there is a potential that the arms or items could be used to facilitate a serious violation of human rights. Whilst Saudi Arabia has been deemed ‘’a very old ally and partner’’ by David Cameron (2012), it continues to abuse the human rights of its citizens based on their gender and sexuality and refuses to acknowledge a need for change.

Our mutual economic relationship with this country makes us complicit in the systematic abuse that takes place. The UK should consider not only the articles in the ATT but a country’s approach to human rights as a whole. Saudi Arabia consistently commits egregious breaches of human rights. It outlaws freedom of speech, expression or belief outside of Wahhabi Islam and regularly imprisons opponents without trial. Homosexuality is branded a crime and is punishable by torture and execution.

Saudi Arabia and the UK have long had close dealings in the arms trade. Saudi Arabia is Britain’s largest customer for weapons and the UK is the Gulf nation’s single biggest supplier, according to Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT). Weapons created in the UK were used to bomb Yemen this year in what has been dubbed ‘’a humanitarian catastrophe’’ (Andrew Smith, CAAT). Saudi Arabia is the biggest sponsor of global terrorism, funnelling money to rebels in Syria and to Sunni terrorist groups worldwide. The terrorist organisation IS are ‘’a product of Saudi ideals, Saudi money and Saudi organisational support’’ (Senator Bob Graham, the 9/11 commission).

How can we claim to be a country that supports equality, diversity and freedom of speech when we continue with this inherently hypocritical trade relationship?

Once again, we urge you to take action,

Yours, the undersigned,