A coalition of human rights organisations has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing BAE Systems and nine other European arms manufacturers of being complicit in alleged war crimes committed during the conflict in Yemen.
The 350-page dossier argues that aircraft, missiles and other weapons produced by these companies contributed to the capacity of the Saudi-led coalition, which is accused of carrying out airstrikes that hit schools, hospitals and civilians. The complaint specifically references 26 strikes that killed 135 people and injured 181.
Radhya Almutawakel, chair of Yemeni organisation Mwatana for Human Rights, stated: 'Saudi/UAE-led coalition airstrikes have caused terrible destruction in Yemen. Weapons produced and exported by the US and Europe have enabled this destruction.'
BAE Systems is cited as the principal supplier of Eurofighter Tornado and Typhoon jets to the Royal Saudi Air Force, which has conducted deadly strikes in Yemen. The complaint argues that the company 'purposely intended' to supply arms and would have been aware of violations. The UK arm of Raytheon, which manufactures Paveway IV guided missiles, is also named.
The human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Campaign Against the Arms Trade, met with ICC prosecutors in The Hague to hand over the file. Lawyer Linde Bryk said: 'By seeking an investigation into corporate executives and government officials the communication seeks to hold to account those selling arms to countries known to have committed war crimes.'
BAE Systems has previously defended its sales, stating it complies with UK arms export regulations. New arms sales to Saudi Arabia have been on hold since June, when the British Court of Appeal ruled that ministers had not properly assessed the risk of breaches of international humanitarian law.
