Thank you to the many constituents who have recently got in touch regarding arms exports to Saudi Arabia.
In accordance with the Court of Appeal’s judgement in June 2019, the Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss, has now retaken licensing decisions regarding military exports to Saudi Arabia for possible use in the conflict in Yemen on the correct legal basis.
Export licences are not granted when there is a clear risk that the equipment might be used in the commission of serious violation of International Humanitarian Law.
Every application is carefully assessed against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, and that a licence will not be granted if to do so would be a breach of the criteria. A range of sources are used when making assessments including NGOS, international organisations and our diplomatic posts overseas. Licences will also be reviewed, revoked or suspended where necessary.
I am concerned regarding the ongoing conflict in Yemen and the humanitarian crisis. This is why I fully support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and UN Special Envoy’s call for all parties to engage in urgent political talks and de-escalate the conflict. I am pleased that Saudi Arabia have very recently offered Yemen’s Houthi rebels a nationwide ceasefire and a series of proposals aimed at ending the conflict.
I will continue to monitor the situation very closely.
If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk
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