Since 2015, the Yemen war has claimed the lives of 85,000 children through bombs, disease and famine. In 2020 alone, 395 children were killed, and 1,447 maimed.
Countries such as the United States, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands have all decided to restrict weapon exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE as evidence of them committing war crimes mounts.
Australia must do the same.
Yet, a number of Australian companies are still involved in exporting weapons to countries waging war in Yemen. Even more shockingly, some of these companies receive funding from the government.
It is time to stop the war on children.
Join us in calling for the Australian Government to immediately ban defence exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Australian Weapons in Yemen:
The Australia Government has confirmed it provided $36 million in funding to a Canberra arms company exporting a weapons system for missiles and machine guns destined for Saudi Arabia. The company is sending 500 units overseas, with our Defence Department unable to guarantee the weapons will not be used to harm civilians. Despite UN reports alleging war crimes occurring in Yemen, the Australian Government is continuing to grant licenses for arms companies to export to countries involved in the fighting.
On 9th August 2018, Khaled* was on a school bus bombed by an aircraft belonging to the Saudi-Led Coalition.
*Name has been changed to protect identity