The Muslim Council of Britain welcomes the UK Government’s renewed international efforts this week in achieving a ceasefire in Yemen by submitting a draft resolution to the 14 other members of the UN Security Council.
With the Yemen conflict now in its fourth year, according to the UN it is the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis, with more than 22 million people, or three-quarters of the population, in need of humanitarian aid and protection.
Several MCB affiliates have been supporting the humanitarian relief efforts on the ground alongside other international aid agencies, and Muslim communities across the UK have expressed extreme concern at the escalation of violence in the region. In addition, several international human rights groups including Amnesty International have said that violations of international law by the warring parties may amount to war crimes.
However, despite other European nations such as Norway and Germany deciding to suspend licenses for arms sales to Saudi Arabia , the UK Government has chosen not to stop the sale of arms, which extensive and strong evidence suggests have been fuelling the conflict and which have been used in operations that have killed or maimed civilians.
Harun Khan, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said “It is imperative that all sides in this conflict come round the table and agree to a ceasefire as soon as possible to stop the humanitarian crises. And I urge the UK Government to use its authority as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to halt arms sales to the region and ensure the international community works swiftly to achieve a lasting peace deal.”