Jeremy Hunt Wants Germany to lift ban on weapons to Saudi Arabia
Germany responded to public horror at evidence of war crimes being carried out in Yemen. After the murder of journalist and in wake of all the public outcry it emerged that Germany had been supplying weapons to Saudi for their war in Yemen.
The UK and USA have been selling weapons left right and centre this whole time – while giving statements stating they have the upmost assurances that Saudi has been using the weapons on legitimate targets only and not women and children.
The war in Yemen
Germany rebuffs UK call to lift ban
Britain’s foreign secretary warned that the Saudi arms export ban damages common European defense policy; Germany manufactures key components of European defense projects, amplifying the effect of its export bans.
But Germany insisted it will ignore Jeremy Hunt and maintain its ban on weapons exports to Saudi Arabia. A decision on lifting the ban would “depend on developments in the Yemen conflict” and whether measures agreed to in recent peace talks enter force there, he said.
“we will make future decisions depending on how the Yemen conflict develops” German Foreign Minister
Selling Weapons Apparently Helps The Peace Process
You seriously cant make this up but Hunt said actions such as Germany’s would not help the Yemeni peace process. “In fact we worry that it would do the opposite — it would reduce our influence on that process,” he said.
Bombing Civilians Outcry
Human rights groups say Saudi warplanes have bombed schools, hospitals, weddings, and food factories – contributing to 13 million civilians facing starvation and “the worst famine in 100 years” according to the United Nations.
Saudi Arabia is facing an international outcry after at least 29 children were among dozens of civilians killed by a US-backed Saudi-led coalition airstrike that hit a bus in Yemen’s Houthi rebel-held north. The attack was only the latest coalition bombing https://t.co/Igxfsovi8V
— Martin O’Rourke (@martin_orourke) August 9, 2018
Almost every western country is in total outcry of #Russia bombing civilians. Outcry on civilans bombing by Saudi’s…NONE!#Syria#Yemen
— Vlad (@okkupant186) February 11, 2016
The murder of Jamal Khashoggi
Jamal Khashoggi killing highlights how the Saudis see human rights
“The Saudi heir and his friends in the White House evidently calculated that the outcry over the barbarous murder of Jamal Khashoggi would die out over time, and that [the] Crown Prince…would be free to continue on his autocratic way….They were wrong.”https://t.co/ZGY479KBc9 pic.twitter.com/SaEeqwSck3
— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) February 9, 2019
The high-profile killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi also spurred a number of countries to impose arms embargoes on the oil-rich autocracy. This does not look to change in the coming future. Jeremy Hunt has also come under fire for making the suggestion with some sources saying he is too close to the arms trade when he should be working as a diplomat.
“Jeremy Hunt is meant to be a statesman, not an arms dealer. He should not be using his position to push for arms sales or lobby other governments on behalf of BAE Systems. UK-made fighter jets and bombs have had a devastating impact on Yemen. They have played a central role in creating the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. It’s time for Hunt to follow his German counterparts and finally end the arms sales.” Andrew Smith from campaign the Campaign Against Arms Trade
