Government revokes export bombs to Saudi Arabia and Emirates: plaudit of the civil society

Foto retepacedisarmo.org archivio

Rome (NEV), February 8, 2021 – The Italian Peace and Disarmament Network, which also includes the Globalization and Environment Commission (GLAM) of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI), issued a statement expressing satisfaction with the blockade of bombs towards Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. The government has in fact revoked the export, definitively stopping the supplies that had been authorized in recent years. Supplies related to bombs that were allegedly used in the bloody war in Yemen and whose licenses were issued after the conflict began.

“Canceled by the government with a historic decision and thanks to the pressure of civil society the sending of over 12,700 bombs – reads the statement -. With an act of great significance, which takes place for the first time since the entry into force of Law 185 of 1990 on arms exports, the Conte government  decided to revoke, not just to suspend, the in progress authorizations for the export of missiles and aircraft bombs to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, the suspension of the granting of new licenses for the same materials and countries continues to remain in force”.

Some issues involving the United Nations and the European Parliament still remain open: from the responsibilities of UAMA and RWM Italy, to the urgency of humanitarian coordination for Yemen, where the population is exhausted by conflict, famine and disease.

The press release concludes “Our organizations Amnesty International Italia, RWM Reconversion Committee for Peace and Sustainable Work, Ethical Finance Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, the Focolare Movement, Oxfam Italy, Italian Peace and Disarmament Network, Save the Children Italy together with the international partners of the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, Mwatana for Human Rights express great satisfaction for this strongly wanted result,  becoming operational in these hours”.