UK urged to promote democracy, not arms sales, in Qatar
UK should promote democracy in Qatar, not arms sales
As the , arrives in the UK for meetings with David Cameron and the Queen, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) is calling for the UK to end all arms sales to the authoritarian state.
For the last two years Qatar has been identified by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)as a 'priority market' for arms sales. In that time the UK has licensed £14 millionworth of weapons to the regime, £12 million of which has been in the last 12 months. This has included assault rifles, gun mountings, machine gun components and other deadly wares.
Andrew Smith from CAAT said “When David Cameron meets with the Qatari leadership this week he should be talking about human rights and democracy. Unfortunately that's unlikely, especially when his government has already cited Qatar as a 'priority market' for arms sales.”
One particular licence, which CAAT has obtained a purchase order for, was for €4 million worth of assault rifles from arms company Heckler and Koch's Nottingham office.*
Last week the UK government was represented in Qatar at a major security/ arms fair. Among the delegation were 37 arms companies and Richard Paniguian, head of UKTI’s Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO).
Andrew continued: "Qatar is an authoritarian state with an appalling human rights record. The UK government should not be supporting or promoting any arms sales to to the Emir or working hand in glove with arms companies that are looking to profit from the oppression taking place."
The Qatari regime is an authoritarian one that is characterised by corruption and oppression. It retains capital punishment and practices cruel and degrading penalties for 'crimes' such as alcohol consumption. LGBT people in Qatar face an environment of intimidation, with a sentence of up to five years for consentingmen.
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