Amnesty urges Greek government to stop arms sale to Saudi Arabia

Amnesty urges Greek government to stop arms sale to Saudi Arabia
Leading global rights organisation, Amnesty International, has criticised a controversial arms sales by Greece to Saudi Arabia, saying the arms could be used against civilians in Yemen
2 min read
27 November, 2017
Saudi Arabia has been criticised for its indiscriminate bombings of civilians in Yemen [Getty]

Amnesty International has urged Greece's government to scrap a controversial arms sale to Saudi Arabia, saying that the weapons could be used against civilians in the ongoing war in Yemen.

The leading human rights organisation voiced deep concern on Monday over the proposed deal, saying there was a "real danger" that the military arms would be used by the Saudi-led coalition against civilians in Yemen.

Greek opposition parties have slammed the agreement, and members in the governing Syriza party have called for the agreement to be cancelled.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is expected to address the issue later on Monday.

Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in neighbouring Yemen in March 2015 to push back the rebels who control the capital Sanaa, in an attempt to restore the government of Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi to power.

The devastating war in Yemen has since killed some 10,000 civilians, while a further 2,000 have died of cholera.

Saudi Arabia has been criticised for its indiscriminate bombings of civilians with mounting allegations made against it.

The UN has listed Yemen as the world's number one humanitarian crisis, with 17 million people in need of food, seven million of whom are at risk of famine.

Numerous relief groups have voiced their concerns over the ongoing campaign and blockade imposed by the Saudi-led coalition. The International Rescue Committee said the "collective punishment" in Yemen is driving 500 children into malnutrition every week.

Earlier today, UNICEF stated that more than 11 million children are in acute need of aid – comprising 40% of the population.