Finland Set to Join Norway in Suspending Arms Sales to the UAE Over Yemen War

The Finnish government looks set to halt weapon exports to the United Arab Emirates after an armoured vehicle manufactured in Finland was sighted in use in the Yemeni civil war.

During a live televised debate ahead of next weeks presidential election, all eight candidates standing stated their intention to cease the export of arms to the United Arab Emirates.

President Sauli Niinisto adopted a firm stance on the matter, stating that as long as the situation in Yemen remains unchanged, arms exports should not be granted to the UAE. “I think we should show restraint going forward and not grant permits as long as the situation in Yemen is what it seems to be”, the incumbent said.

The UAE are a key actor in the Saudi-led coalition who have been at war with Yemeni rebels the Houthis since March 2015. The conflict has so far claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people, displaced up to 3 million and led to an epidemic of cholera in one of the region's poorest countries.

UN reports have also suggested that the Emirati state may be committing war crimes in Yemen, where they hold a significant naval, ground and air presence.

In Finland, the issue of arms and ammunition exports to the UAE arose after an armoured vehicle manufactured by the majority Finnish state-owned defence company, Patria, was sighted in use in Yemen. In 2016, the Finnish government granted Patria a permit to export 40 armoured modular vehicles to the UAE.

During the debate on Tuesday evening, President Niinisto stated that the security situation in Yemen had changed dramatically since the granting of the export permit. There was a broad consensus among the other seven presidential candidates on the matter. Independent candidate Paavo Vayrynen stated that the arms permit should be revoked on grounds that the Emirati authorities had violated its licensing conditions regarding the end-use of the armoured vehicles, whilst others called for a ban over fears that Finnish manufactured weapons had been used against civilians.

This follows the recent decision taken by the Norwegian government suspend arms and ammunition sales to the UAE over humanitarian fears that they were being used in the Yemini offensive.

Furthermore, the UK Labour Party's shadow minister for peace and the Middle East Fabian Hamilton recently said that a future Labour government would ban UK weapon sales to all members of the Saudi led coalition involved in the conflict in Yemen, including the UAE.

ICFUAE applauds this principled statement of intent shown by the Finnish government. This bold stance must act as an example to other exporting nations and encourage them to prioritise human rights and social justice ahead of profit and destruction. Specifically, this should compel the British government to review its trading relations with the UAE. Between 2012 and 2016, the UK licensed around £350m worth of arms for export to the country. During this period, the UAE have become increasingly dismissive towards international treaties, human rights law and UN conventions. It is imperative that any future trade deals be contingent on the UAE’s adherence to international human rights legislation.

- For more information, press queries or comment, please contact the ICFUAE team at joe@icfuae.org.uk or +44 7979 6666 98

- For more information in the story, please see http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/15284-all-presidential-candidates-would-halt-arms-exports-to-uae.html