Half of UK arms exports go to human rights abusers

Photo credit: CAAT

Source: CAAT

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has published a new report analysing military exports in 2020 and 2021. The research shows that while there was an overall decline in Single Individual Export Licences (SIELs) during this timeframe, over half of the licences issued were to human rights abusing states. This includes £241m to Saudi Arabia, £271m to India and £306m to Turkey.

The report also highlights that while there was a 12% fall in SIELs between 2021 and 2020, this doesn't give the full picture as the figures do not include open licences which probably account for at least half of all UK arms figures.

Data from UK Defence & Security Exports provides a fuller picture of the size of the UK arms trade. This also shows a fall from £11 billion in 2019 to £7.5 billion in 2020, and £5.5 billion in 2021. Another important source of information is the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)'s database of major conventional weapons transfers, which likewise shows a substantial fall in UK exports of such equipment, which were 41% lower over 2017-21 than in 2012-16.

However, the government continues to licence arms sales to Saudi Arabia despite its appalling human rights record at home and its continued involvement in the war in Yemen that has led to the death of thousands of civilians and one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world. And to India where Prime Minister Narendra Modi's far-right government has been accused of multiple human rights abuses in Kashmir. This includes detaining Kashmiris without charge, media restrictions, credible accusations of torture, and civilian deaths.

In Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been responsible for numerous human rights abuses at home and abroad, including the use of chemical weapons in Turkey's attacks on Syria. In Turkey, members of the Kurdish HDP opposition party have been imprisoned, including MPs and the country has been described as the "world's largest prison for journalists".

Emily Apple, CAAT's Media Coordinator stated:

"While any reduction in arms sales is obviously welcome news, it is clear that this is not the full picture and that the UK government is continuing to arm human rights abusers. The weapons that the UK sells to these countries are fuelling these abuses. However, the UK government cares more about profit than saving lives or protecting fundamental human rights. We will continue to challenge this immoral trade, and we will be taking the government to court at the end of the month to argue that its continued weapons sales to the Saudi regime are unlawful".

Links:

Full report, UK Arms Exports in 2021 at https://caat.org.uk/app/uploads/2023/01/CAAT-Exports2021-v4.pdf

CAAT's legal challenge against arms sales to Saudi Arabia will be heard at the High Court of Justice from 31 January to 2 February. More information at https://caat.org.uk/homepage/stop-arming-saudi-arabia/caats-legal-challenge/