German government should deny company license to export arms to Saudi Arabia

On 23 June 2016, a court ruled that the Government of Germany must decide whether to grant arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch a license to sell assault rifle parts to Saudi Arabia. Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) and the European-Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) call on the German government to[…]

The UK Should Investigate Saudi Arabia’s Use of British Cluster Munitions in Yemen

On 24 May 2016, UK Minister for Defense Procurement Phillip Dunne claimed that “no UK-supplied cluster weapons have been used […] in the current conflict in Yemen.” Dunne’s statement contradicts evidence gathered by Amnesty International showing that at least 16 people have been killed by the use of cluster munitions in Yemen from July 2015[…]

Despite ongoing human rights abuses the UK sells weapons to Bahrain

Isa al-Aali, a Bahraini activist, revealed to the Campaign Against Arms Trade that he was arrested and tortured by Bahraini authorities for attending a protest in 2013. Authorities accused him of throwing Molotov cocktails, and threatened to cut off his genitals unless he provided them with information. Al-Aali repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Following a three-month[…]

Canada Continues with Saudi Arms Deal Despite Executions, Human Rights Abuses in Yemen

Canada condemned the execution of Shia cleric and political activist Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, and the country’s foreign affairs minister, Stéphane Dion, asked Saudi Arabia to observe and respect basic human rights. The Canadian minister questioned the Saudi government’s regard for human rights as well. However, the Government of Canada announced that it will still allow[…]

Irritated Profits: Lockheed and Boeing Downplay Human Rights Violations in Yemen

Defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Boeing remain committed to supplying Saudi-led coalition forces with arms despite strong evidence of human rights abuses caused by the bombing campaign in Yemen.  At the recent Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference in Washington DC, Lockheed executive Ronald L. Perrilloux Jr. and Boeing vice president Jeffrey Kohler emphasized the importance of the[…]