The Saudis and international Humanitarian Law

A court action by campaigners has resulted in a judgement that licences should be reviewed  before any further military equipment is exported to the Saudis.

This is because the Saudis have violated international law by targeting civilians and even at least one hospital in the Yemen conflict. The International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, and the government have been complacent about these violations, cynically accepting worthless Saudi assurances that they have carried out their own investigation, and that any 'violations' were accidental, or the result of collateral damage. I have no doubt that the review of licences will result in a government finding that the Saudis had no intention of targeting civilians, and that it is perfectly safe to continue with the exports, thereby ensuring that realpolitik, pragmatism, and expediency wins the day over ethics and morality.