Under Corbyn Labour will suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia

Jeremy Corbyn has told the Labour Party Conference that where there are credible reports of human rights abuses or war crimes, Britain will suspend arms sales. This will start with Saudi Arabia, said the leader of the Labour Party:

“The United Nations says [Saudi Arabia] is committing repeated violations of international humanitarian law war crimes in Yemen.”

Since the Yemen conflict began human rights organisations have repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that all sides commit violations but that Saudi-led airstrikes have killed more civilians than anyone else. Their aerial bombardment has hit schools, mosques, hospitals and refugee camps.

Many believe Britain is complicit in these war crimes because they have approved £3.3bn worth of arms to Riyadh since their air campaign began.

Saudi Arabia is Britain’s largest arms export market and the British government is facing sustained pressure to suspend these weapons sales.