Yemen and UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia

Yemen remains one of the world’s greatest humanitarian crises. Millions of people have been forced from their homes, face acute malnutrition and need humanitarian assistance. The UN estimates that 377,000 have been killed or died as a result of the war and its wider impact. I want to see a permanent ceasefire in the country and a political reconciliation between the warring factions. I believe there is no military solution to the conflict and that inclusive political dialogue is the only route to a sustainable solution.

I have long supported calls for the Government to suspend UK arms sales to the Saudi-led coalition for use in Yemen. It is vital that it ensures UK arms exports are not used to commit breaches of international law. Unfortunately, I am concerned that in December 2021, it instead introduced a change to the UK’s arms export rules that charities such as Oxfam have warned will lessen transparency over arms exports and increase the risk of UK arms being used against civilians in places such as Yemen.

The UK is the penholder on Yemen at the UN Security Council, which means it has the power to draft and table Security Council products on Yemen, including press statements, resolutions, presidential statements and more. Within the UN, we therefore have the power to lead the way in efforts to forge a political, rather than a military, solution to the conflict. I believe we must support the ongoing UN-led process to establish peace and encourage the negotiation of an enduring political settlement. It is vital that the Government does all it can to help end this brutal conflict and stop the suffering of the Yemeni people. I will continue to support efforts to press the Government on this issue.