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Update 02/02/2021: Last week, the Biden administration suspended arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, in line with campaign pledges made by President Biden to end US support for the Saudi-led coalition’s military campaign in Yemen. It’s time for Australia to follow suit and stop supplying military exports to countries committing war crimes.

Yemen is right now enduring one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, and Australia is complicit.

Our government is supplying military exports to both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — two countries committing war crimes in Yemen.

Almost six years after the conflict began, Amnesty International has documented more than 40 coalition air strikes that appear to have violated international humanitarian law, many of which amount to war crimes. 

These airstrikes have disproportionately and indiscriminately killed civilians, including children, and targeted hospitals, school buses and markets.

On 29 January 2021 Italy permanently revoked its export licenses for arms issued to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.  

Italy joins a growing list of countries that have already cut off arms supplies to the Saudi-led coalition because of human rights violations in Yemen. 

It’s time for Australia to do the same. 

Take action and tell Defence Minister Linda Reynolds to stop supplying military exports to the Saudi-led Coalition.

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  Our Petition
 

Dear Minister,

The latest escalation of the ongoing war in Yemen is devastating to watch unfold on my social media newsfeed.

The current situation is beyond horrific.

To know that your department has continued to supply military exports to both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with an intention to further expand arms trade with those committing war crimes in Yemen is beyond comprehension.

As both sides have engaged in fierce battles over the last three years, we know that civilians have been caught in the middle and have witnessed a range of international humanitarian law violations.

All parties to the conflict have consistently carried out unlawful attacks that have killed or injured civilians.

Yemen is often referred to as the ‘forgotten war’ as the international community – including Australia — has done little to alleviate the suffering of the people.

At a time when Germany is cutting off arms supplies to Saudi Arabia due to human rights violations in Yemen, Australia is only increasing military exports.

Australia used to champion the Arms Trade Treaty in hope of making this world a safer place. Continuing with military exports to countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE puts you and in turn all of the Australian people at risk of being complicit in the war in Yemen.

I urge you to:

  • immediately halt the flow of arms and military assistance to members of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition for use in Yemen. This includes any equipment or logistical support being used for airstrikes; and
  • use your leverage as an ally to call for the Saudi-led Coalition to fully comply with international humanitarian law in conducting airstrikes by ensuring that civilians and civilian objects are not targeted.

Yours Sincerely,

 

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