Denmark's suspension of arms sales to Saudi Arabia welcomed

‘A small country like Denmark can make a difference’ - Trine Christensen

Responding to a decision today by the Danish government to suspend all exports of weapons and military equipment - including surveillance equipment - to Saudi Arabia, Trine Christensen, Amnesty International Denmark’s Director, said: 

 

“We welcome this decision. The human rights situation in Saudi Arabia has deteriorated rapidly over the past years, with a concerted effort to crush dissent and curb freedom of expression. 

“Despite the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, the world has continued to sell weapons fuelling the conflict, and - as documented by Amnesty and others - enabled the Saudi Arabian-led coalition to target civilians, schools and hospitals. 

 

“It is high time that countries all over the world send a clear message that such human rights violations and such suffering will not be met by silence and inaction, but instead by strong criticism and clear consequences. 

 

“A small country like Denmark can make a difference and play a role in persuading other countries to take a firm stand against Saudi Arabia’s massive human rights abuses at home and abroad.”  

UK still refusing to halt arms sales

Amnesty has repeatedly called on the UK Government to also suspend all arms sales to Saudi Arabia because of the clear risk that they will be used to carry out violations of international humanitarian law in Yemen. Amnesty’s call on the International Trade Secretary Liam Fox to halt arms sales to Riyadh has received the support of more than 26,000 people.