Canada opposition demands end to Saudi arms sales

Rights groups and opposition figures have called on Canada to suspend weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, following the kingdom's alleged use of Canadian-made arms in a crackdown against Shia Muslim civilians in an eastern province.


Images on social media showed armoured vehicles, which military experts say are almost certainly Canadian-made, being used by Saudi government forces in Qatif.

If confirmed, such sales could be in violation of Canada's defence export policies which say Canadian military equipment cannot be sold to countries where there is a risk it may be used in human rights abuses.

Saudi Arabia, which is often criticised by rights groups, is now the second largest buyer of Canadian arms, behind the US.
 [aljazeera.com]
8/8/17