Summary Saudi Arabia is reportedly indulged in minority rights violations through the use of Canadian arms
(Web Desk) - It is reported that the investigation is underway in Canada over Saudi Arabia’s use of the armoured vehicles, manufactured in Canada, against its own civilians. This is recently revealed through the videos and photos posted on social media, Riyadh allegedly using Canadian armed equipments in a violent crackdown on Shia minority in eastern Saudi Arabia, reported British newspaper The Guardian.
At least five people were killed last week as security forces launched a violent raid on suspected militants in the town of Awamiya.
Canadian officials spontaneously became most concerned following the report.
“We are looking at these claims very seriously … and have immediately launched a review,” Justin Trudeau told reporters.
Most notably, Saudi Arabia ranked among the largest importers of Canada-made military goods, purchasing more than C$142m worth of goods, was observed in 2016.
Despite the fact, the ministry of global affairs of Canada expressed the concerns over the growing violence in eastern Saudi Arabia. A statement issued last week, which underlined the causalities among civilians and security forces, urged Riyadh to deal with its security challenges in ‘a manner that abides by international human rights law’.
Days later, the substantial concern was raised worldwide over the alleged use of Canadian weapons to cast a slur on the human rights in general, while minority rights in particular.
“If it is found that Canadian exports have been used to commit serious violations of human rights, the minister will take action,” a spokesperson for department told the Guardian.
According to the critics, the C$15bn deal was made in 2014 by the previous conservative government of Canada, in spite of established Canadian rules that restrict arms exports to countries having poor human rights records.
Furthermore, Germany and Belgium have denied export on arms supply to Saudi Arabia in the preceding years, while Sweden cancelled a longstanding defence agreement with the Saudis in 2015.
According to the Guardian, a high court in London earlier ruled that the UK could proceed with arms sales to Saudi Arabia. “Saudi Arabia has been, and remains, genuinely committed to compliance with International Humanitarian Law; and there was no ‘real risk’ that there might be ‘serious violations’ of International Humanitarian Law (in its various manifestations) such that UK arm sales to Saudi Arabia should be suspended or cancelled,” the court had said.
