29 May 2011

UK training Saudi forces used to crush Arab spring - Letter to Nick Clegg

This really is a scandal of the highest order: "UK training Saudi forces used to crush Arab spring" :

"Britain is training Saudi Arabia's national guard – the elite security force deployed during the recent protests in Bahrain – in public order enforcement measures and the use of sniper rifles. The revelation has outraged human rights groups, which point out that the Foreign Office recognises that the kingdom's human rights record is "a major concern"."

"The MoD response, obtained yesterday by the Observer, reveals that Britain sends up to 20 training teams to the kingdom a year. Saudi Arabia pays for "all BMM personnel, as well as support costs such as accommodation and transport".
Bahrain's royal family used 1,200 Saudi troops to help put down demonstrations in March. At the time the British government said it was "deeply concerned" about reports of human rights abuses being perpetrated by the troops.
"Britain's important role in training the Saudi Arabian national guard in internal security over many years has enabled them to develop tactics to help suppress the popular uprising in Bahrain," said Nicholas Gilby of the Campaign Against Arms Trade."


Here is the text of my letter to Nick Clegg:

Sir,
I find it hard to understand how you can look yourself in the mirror with the absolutely scandalous news that British troops are training "Saudi Arabia's national guard – the elite security force deployed during the recent protests in Bahrain – in public order enforcement measures and the use of sniper rifles."
I repeat: this is a scandal of the highest order and I demand action to cease this forthwith, considering the F.O considers S.A.'s human rights record as "a major concern".
It is even more scandalous considering the supposed backing your government and party have been giving to the Arab Spring and knowing that Bahrain used 1200 Saudi troops to help put down demonstrations in March amid reports of the use of snipers in putting down said demonstrations.
Isn't it time you put your power hunger to one side and started looking after human rights issues. Or is it that you quite frankly don't give a damn.?