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Today cross-party MEPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of a Greens/EFA call for an arms embargo against Saudi Arabia, following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The Parliament has now called for an EU-wide ban on arms exports to Saudi Arabia three times since 2016 through Greens/EFA group-led initiatives.

Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, said:

“It’s shameful that it should take the brutal murder of a high-profile journalist to wake the world up to Saudi Arabia’s horrifying human rights violations. The world can no longer turn a blind eye to its persecution of political activists, its discrimination against women and religious minorities, and its war crimes in Yemen.
 
That’s why I’m pleased that cross-party MEPs have voted in favour of this Greens/EFA proposal demanding an EU-wide ban on exporting arms to Saudi Arabia (which passed despite the Tories’ disgraceful decision to continue supporting the sale of deadly weapons to this murderous regime).
 
Congratulations to my colleagues in the European Parliament who put forward this proposal. It’s now time for Member States to take note and take action!”
 
Read the Greens/EFA press release on the resolution here.

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As Prime Minister Theresa May visits Saudi Arabia today and will reportedly raise the issue of the Saudi blockade and humanitarian crisis in Yemen with Saudi authorities, Greens have repeated a call for a ban on all arms exports to the country [1].

The UK is the second largest arms exporter to Saudi Arabia and 48% of all UK arms exports were to the country between 2012 and 2016 [2]. In the first half of this year, British sales of military equipment to Saudi Arabia topped £1.1bn, a steep increase from last year [3].

Green MEP Molly Scott Cato said:

“Theresa May has said she will raise the issue of the Saudi blockade on Yemen and the appalling human suffering that this is causing. I wonder if this will be before or after discussions about shoring-up the grotesque trade in arms to the brutal Saudi regime.”

“The eye-watering statistics of UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia expose May’s declarations of concern for the suffering of the Yemeni people as blatant hypocrisy. It is utterly shameful that this trade be allowed to continue and as Greens we call on the Prime Minister to finally act in the only morally responsible way possible and stop exporting arms to Saudi Arabia.”

A letter received this week by Dr Scott Cato from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) suggested that the Saudi authorities themselves were best placed to investigate breaches of International Humanitarian Law because they ‘have the best insight into their own military procedures’ [4].

Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London and member of the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee, dismissed such a suggestion:

“If the Government is serious about investigating Saudi’s violations of International Humanitarian Law, I recommend it invites an independent body – not the Saudis – to do so. The suggestion that the Saudis investigate their own conduct is simply not credible any more than Myanmar investigating its own conduct concerning the Rohingya. Self-investigation will not bring justice to the families of the 10,000 plus people in Yemen who have lost their lives as a result of this terrible conflict.”

Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East of England, concluded:

“Last month the Defence Secretary said it was unhelpful to keep highlighting Saudi war crimes and human rights’ abuses because it might damage our ability to sell weapons. Theresa May calling out the Saudi’s human rights abuses is nothing but heinous hypocrisy if she doesn’t also halt UK weapons sales. This is a government more concerned with the profit margins of arms dealers than the harrowing cost of the human suffering they are facilitating. It is unforgivable.”

In September the European Parliament voted in favour of a Green report, challenging the Commission to introduce an embargo on arms exports to Saudi Arabia [5]. The presidents of the Green, Socialist and Liberal groups in the Parliament have also written to the EU representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, asking her to put forward a proposal for such a ban to the European Council.

Notes:

[1] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-middle-east-post-brexit-links-trade-saudi-arabia-jordan-yemen-un-uk-a8080796.html

[2] Stockholm International Peace Research Institute: https://www.sipri.org/commentary/blog/2017/state-major-arms-transfers-8-graphics

[3] Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/24/uk-sales-of-arms-and-military-equipment-to-saudi-arabia-2017

[4] http://mollymep.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/FCO-Saudi-response-Nov-17.pdf

[5] http://mollymep.org.uk/2017/09/13/ep-vote-arms-embargo-saudi/

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Jean’s latest e-news is out now.

It outlines some of the issues she’s been working on in September – from meeting volunteers at Doctors of the World’s London clinic, to urging a strong response on the Rohingya crisis in the European Parliament, and speaking at the People’s March for Europe.

The newsletter also explain how, until 27th October, employers have a chance to tell the Migration Advisory Committee about their views on Brexit. Make sure your voice is heard!

Read the newsletter in full here.

To receive monthly updates about Jean’s work as London’s Green MEP please sign up here.

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Today cross-party MEPs voted in favour of a Greens/EFA resolution to place arms embargoes against all countries that fail to uphold international humanitarian law. This includes banning the sale of military equipment to states that abuse human rights. The vote sends a strong message to the European Commission – it’s time to take action against irresponsible arms deals. [1]

This resolution coincides with the Defence and Security Equipment International Exhibition (DSEI) arms fair in London, which is this week hosting 1,600 exhibitors from 54 countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and Bahrain. [2]

Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, said:

​​“The world’s largest arms fair is currently underway in my constituency, London. As I write, UK ministers and civil servants are facilitating the sale of weapons to 56 countries, including many with records of using them to commit appalling human rights abuses – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bahrain​ and more​.

However, while the British Government has been busy promoting the global arms trade, Members of the European Parliament today voted in favour of a resolution asking Member States to take responsibility for the dreadful consequences of these deals.

In an ideal world, we’d stop the sale of weapons altogether. However, if that’s not feasible we are morally and legally obl​​ig​​ed​​ to ensure they do as little harm as possible. We need to know where the ​​arms we sell are going, who is using them, and why. If countries fail to uphold international humanitarian law, we should stop providing them with ​​​military equipment. If Member States don’t comply with this rule, they must face real consequences.

It’s time for the UK Government to recognise this direction of travel, and shut down the DSEI festival of violence for good. ​​​The event sends a clear message to the EU and the rest of the world that the UK is moving backwards – prioritising lucrative arms deals over defending human rights. For as long as this is allowed to continue, innocent people will pay with their lives.”

Notes:

[1] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20170911IPR83507/eu-arms-export-control-needs-a-face-lift

[2] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dsei-2017-arms-fair-liam-fox-weapons-exports-defence-industry-protests-minister-saudi-arabia-yemen-a7943301.html

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LONDON’S Green MEP Jean Lambert has called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza – and added her name to a letter demanding David Cameron immediately to stop UK-based firms selling weapons to Israel and all armed groups operating in the region.

Ms Lambert, who is a patron of Waltham Forest Palestine Solidarity Campaign, also called for the EU to suspend its ongoing trade and cultural co-operation deal with Israel.

She said: “The EU-Israel Association Agreement should be suspended until the ongoing siege of Gaza is abandoned: restrictions on the Gazan economy are forcing a ‘tunnel’ economy on Gaza – and as long as the EU continues to trade with Israel it remains complicit in that.”

“Children in Gaza are being traumatised – and civilians have nowhere to run to when the Israeli missiles fall. We must have an immediate cease-fire and, while I welcome the growing voices from within Israel calling for an end to this assault, I support the UN Commission of Inquiry which will look at all violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, by all sides, and I hope those found to be responsible will be brought to justice.”

Ms Lambert spoke at a central London rally on July 26th organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign calling for an end to the fighting and human rights violations in Gaza.

She added: “We really need a long-term solution that allows all, whether they consider themselves to be Palestinian, Israeli, or neither, to live peacefully side-by-side in one of earth’s most densely-populated regions.

“The seemingly endless cycle of bloody conflict and fragile cease-fires offers no stable, peaceful future. This latest round of death and injury was sparked, apparently, by the murders of four young men, committed by those who do not want peace. Countless other deaths is not a fitting memorial.

“But with so many dead and injured, an immediate cease in hostilities must be the priority: and a complete end to all arms sales and military support to the region. I have written to Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, and, today, to Prime Minister David Cameron, to demand exactly that.”

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Although the EU can’t sign the UN Arms Trade treaty itself – only countries can sign UN treaties, MEPs now hope all 28 EU members will quickly ratify the Treaty so it can enter into force.

The Arms Trade Treaty aims to limit trade in weapons with a view to reducing the contribution of arms to not only human rights and humanitarian abuses, genocide, crimes against humanity and regional tensions, but also to organised crime and terrorism.

Weapons sales, and transfers to other states under loan agreements, must all be regulated under the terms of the Treaty, which was agreed at a UN conference on the arms trade last year.

The Treaty’s swift adoption into force due to prompt ratification by all EU countries would be a step forward for peace, according to London’s Green MEP Jean Lambert, but it’ll stop well short of the complete ban on weapon sales we need.

Speaking after MEPs agreed to back the Treaty, Ms Lambert said:

“The implementation of the Treaty is crucial. To this end, EU member states need to clearly define the term trade and transfer and to make sure that they are willing to regulate all kinds of arms transfers, as well as loans. How new weapons technologies that have changed military intervention, like drones, should be dealt with remains open unfortunately, as this technology is not covered by the ATT.

“We need to decide how we want to develop and manage the different export control regimes within the EU. There should be a single, clear and strong management structure, which is tasked with oversight, and ensuring coherence and transparency. The current division of labour between the Commission, the External Action Service, the Council and member state governments is unclear and creates confusion – we need greater clarity so that arms deals which aren’t done in one country, won’t be done by its neighbour instead. We also need a formal role for the Parliament in arms control and the implementation of all EU export rules.”

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Latest figures show that EU countries are spending less on weapons than this time last year – mainly as a result of shrinking national budgets – but that some countries are looking to balance their books by selling off surplus arms.

An annual survey of the arms trade  published today shows that arms sales to EU countries have fallen by 20 per cent since 2007 as nations – including the UK – try to reduce national defence budgets.

But it also shows that some countries are seeking to sell ‘surplus’ military equipment, both to reduce maintenance budgets and to raise cash to help nations balance their budgets – and reduce borrowing requirements.

“Of course is great news that EU governments are spending less money on weapons,” Ms Lambert said.

“But if we are seeing a rise in arms exports to help raise cash we’re going to see more weapons reaching conflict zones – and that can only fuel war and lead to more human rights abuses, contrary to one of the most basic principles of the EU.

“We shouldn’t be trying to resolve economic difficulties by selling more arms to repressive regimes.”

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“I am hugely disappointed that after a month of negotiations the international community has failed to reach an agreement which would effectively stem the flow of illegal weapons and bring much needed regulation to the conventional arms trade.  Every single day, 1,500 people are killed in armed violence around the world, with untold numbers injured, disabled and traumatised.  Each day that we further delay in regulating this deadly trade means the deaths of thousands of innocent victims; deaths which could so easily be avoided if we were willing to take the necessary political action.

“Once again, it seems that narrow commercial interests have taken precedence over the formation of a comprehensive treaty which would help prevent human rights violations and armed conflict. By continuing to allow arms companies to profit from the misery that we see, for example, in Syria, we are guilty of an abdication of moral and social responsibility which undermines peace-building processes, good governance and true, sustainable development. Countries that speak the language of diplomacy should not be profiting from fuelling conflict. It is especially frustrating that the USA, the world’s largest exporter of conventional weapons, should lead the way in pulling the plug on talks as they were nearing a conclusion.

“Signs suggest that the door remains open for further talks, and I hope that a draft arms trade treaty can be brought before the United Nations General Assembly before the end of the year.  However, for a treaty to be successful, it will need broad, unanimous support.  Russia, China and the USA say they need ‘more time’ to resolve issues they had with the agreement, but with one person dying every minute from armed conflict, how much longer are they prepared to stand by and delay progress to this much awaited and much needed treaty?”

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I give my whole-hearted support to those demonstrating against the fair. Thinking of the devastating images from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where over 1.5 million people have now been killed or seriously injured, I find it repulsive that we should continue to profit from this trade. Arms sales enable repressive regimes to maintain their power yet several countries with poor records on human rights were invited to the trade fair this year including Libya, Saudi Arabia, China and Indonesia.

There are, however, indications that the arms fair is becoming more difficult to manage. The organiser, Reed Elsevier, has recently announced its intention to sell the event and in July Gordon Brown said he was going to shut down the Defence Export Sales Organisation (DESO), the part of the defence ministry which has responsibility for the arms fair. These moves have come about following sustained public pressure from a number of organisations including the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) and, in the case of Reed Elsevier, the increasing unease amongst its shareholders.

Whilst these moves could signal an end for the arms fair in London they will not in themselves reduce the export of arms from the UK. The task of promoting arms exports, currently undertaken by the DESO, will soon be given to the newly named Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, where the rest of British export promotion lies. It seems Gordon Brown’s decision will simply mean business as usual.

It’s time the resources spent on marketing arms were diverted towards peaceful operations. We must face up to what the UK’s role in the arms trade means for global security and human rights abuses.”

Jean Lambert MEP

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