While the world focus is on Russia’s war with Ukraine, we must not forget the deaths and
displacements, destruction and famine caused in continuing wars and conflicts and illegal
occupations. Some of these conflicts involve the use of weapons from UK arms companies,
licensed by the UK government. Women and children are especially vulnerable when they are
trapped in war zones or attempting to flee violence, and may be sexually abused as a tactic of
war.
Yemen has suffered for the past seven years at the hands of a Saudi-led coalition that has caused
377,000 war-related deaths. The UK has supplied £18 billion-worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia
while remaining silent about the war in Yemen. Boris Johnson had discussions about oil supplies
with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the same month that this repressive regime had a
mass execution of 81 people.
Afghanistan. Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, conflict has caused the internal
displacement of 3.4 million people, and thousands have fled the country. The UK is currently
failing in its obligations to Afghan interpreters and others who worked with the UK during the years
of war and occupation. To date, the 7,000 people received under the Afghan Relocations and
Assistance Policy (ARAP) are in danger of being treated as illegal immigrants as they have not yet
received the necessary papers. And the UK left behind in Afghanistan hundreds more people
whose lives are now endangered because of the work they have done with UK forces.
Actions
Sign an open letter to Boris Johnson https://caat.org.uk/open-letter-end-uk-arms-sales-for-use-in-the-war-onyemen/
Join the CAAT demonstration for Yemen on Saturday 26 March at 12.00 noon, outside Downing Street
To: The Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA
We call on you urgently to:
• Grant leave to remain in the UK, to women and children seeking asylum from war and conflict.
• Cancel the UK’s military and arms trade links with Saudi Arabia.
• Recognise the causal connections between wars, patriarchal violence and the climate emergency, and
invest instead in real sustainable human security.
Signature:…………………………………………………. Name:………………………………………………………………………
Address:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Women in Black hold vigils every Wednesday between 6-7 pm at the Edith Cavell Statue, opposite the door of
the National Portrait Gallery, St.Martin’s Place, London WC2. Our vigils are silent, women-only and if possible
we wear black. We welcome all women who support our call for an end to militarism and war.
Contact us: Twitter @WIB_London FB @womeninblack.london http://london.womeninblack.org/
Donations for leaflets most welcome