D66 and SP want arms embargo against Saudi Arabia

That excites terror and grossly violates human rights, write the MPs Sjoerd Sjoerdsma (D66) and Harry van Bommel (SP) in Trouw. The quiet diplomacy to change that does not work, they say.

The MPs thereby indicating the administration of punishments like beheadings, inflicting lashes and the planned crucifixion of teenagers. The country is funding the spread of Wahhabism, a truly conservative view of Islam, which is a major breeding ground for IS and other jihadist terrorist groups.

Therefore there should be an arms embargo, preferably in a European context. Britain, France and Belgium are major arms suppliers to Saudi Arabia. If you are unable to Europe to get along, the Netherlands should only proceed with an embargo, they think.

Conference

Dutch arms exports to Saudi Arabia worth several million euros. "You would expect that there Koenders wants to quickly draw the line," they write. But the PvdA and the VVD block the execution of a motion to stop arms exports to that country. In 2011 the Labour Party supported a motion from the Green Left to no longer give licenses for arms exports to Saudi Arabia.

The letter appears on the first day of a major anti-terror conference in The Hague, Netherlands is host.

NOS.nl/ © EPA