In a resolution on the humanitarian situation in Yemen, adopted on February 25th, 2016, the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) called on the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, to launch an initiative aimed at imposing an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia.
The resolution focuses on the disastrous humanitarian situation that affects the civilian population of Yemen, and underlines that since the beginning of the conflict, half of the victims were civilians. MEPs also mention the serious allegations against Saudi Arabia of breaches of international humanitarian law. They also recall that the Council of the European Union had adopted a common position in 2008 in which Member States committed themselves not to export weapons to countries that did not respect human rights and international humanitarian law.
FIDH regularly recalls that the respect of human rights prescriptions in arms trade is fundamental. MEPs have taken a significant step forward towards the full acknowledgement of Member States’ responsibilities in the humanitarian crisis currently undergoing in Yemen. FIDH will continue to support the European Union’s efforts in this direction.