
Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The UK government has chosen to receive “the architect” of the ongoing war in Yemen instead of taking humanitarian efforts to alleviate the crisis.
Member of the UK parliament from the Labour Party Chris Williamson said on Tuesday.
Williamson made the comment on Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming visit to London.
The crown prince would arrive in London on Wednesday for a three-day visit, during which he will meet with Prime Minister Theresa May, the royal family and UK government officials in spite of planned protests from the UK Stop the War Coalition (STWC) group.
“We should be a force for humanitarian good in the world and we are quite the opposite of that, we’re actually helping to prosecute the war in Yemen rather than ending it.
“Rather than taking a humanitarian stand, the government is actually hosting the architect of this war,’’ Williamson told a press conference.
According to the lawmaker, the current UK government has been “essentially fuelling the war in Yemen” and consequently is “entirely implicated” in the country’s humanitarian crisis.
Activists from a number of groups, such as the Campaign against Arms Trade and Human Rights for Yemen, intend to stage a rally outside May’s Downing Street office, reportedly at the time of her meeting with the crown prince.
Stephen Bell, a spokesman for the STWC, told newsmen in January that London had to withdraw its invitation to the crown prince, stating that Riyadh was responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe in war-torn Yemen.
The Saudi-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes against the Shiite Houthi movement at Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi’s request, but the human rights organisations have sounded the alarm over the toll this campaign has been having on civilians.
The UK has faced its share of backlash from anti-war campaigners for selling arms to Saudi Arabia.
Report says the UK government insists that such exports are legitimate policy, but critics have pointed to the possibility of these weapons being used in Yemen on civilian targets.
Join The Conversation
You May Like
Latest
Bisi Akande meets SWAGA team, backs Tinubu for 2023 presidency
Nigerian Army knocks ex-Ekiti Governor Fayose
Omoni Oboli’s mother-in-law to be buried in Delta
Nigerian doctor suspended in 2015 for beating son in UK reinstated
Kwame AK drops new single “Big Poppa”
Super Falcons captain Asisat Oshoala loses stepmum
APC, NRM supporters defect to PDP in Zamfara
Thai Police arrest Nigerian Cocaine smuggler
Buhari’s change brought calamity – Pastor Giwa
Death toll from militias’ attack in Sudan’s state hits 83
President Al-Sisi pledges support for AfCFTA’s activities
Omawumi celebrates her husband on his birthday
Putin risks clash with Biden, EU over detention of Navalny
Trump supporters virtually in no-show across U.S. capitols
Inter Milan tie with leaders AC Milan after beating Juventus
WAFU U-17 final: Lawan pledges handsome reward for Golden Eaglets
Gospel singer Dunsin Oyekan releases “The Gospel Of The Kingdom” album
Biden to block Trump-approved Canada-USA Keystone XL pipeline project
Lagos hits two grim COVID-19 milestones , Abuja posts 7 of 15 deaths
Ekiti Govt disowns online training advert, says it is fake
Ekiti Govt relaxes curfew, restrictions, orders schools to reopen