Islam Times - UK arms sale to Bahrain triples: Activist

Islam Times - Prominent Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab says the UK arms sale to Bahrain has more than tripled amid the Manama regime crackdown on dissent.

He said in a message posted on the internet that the Al Khalifa regime is buying Britain’s silence over its human rights violation with the huge purchase of weapons.

Some media reports have said that Britain sold military equipment worth about USD 30 million to Bahrain last year.

The UK is also reportedly seeking to sell Typhoon warplanes worth more than one billion dollars to the Manama regime as part of its efforts to strengthen military ties with Bahrain.

Rajab further stressed that the British government’s support for the Al Khalifa regime, despite its acts of violence against peaceful protesters in the kingdom, is based on the UK’s business interests.

The activist also censured Britain for its continued harassment of human rights defenders, including those Bahrainis who have sought asylum in the UK.

Amnesty International has said that the arms talks between the two countries show that business deals are more significant for the UK than human rights concerns.

Since mid-February 2011, thousands of protesters have staged numerous demonstrations in the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power.

According to local sources, scores of people have been killed in the regime’s clampdown.

Britain has also been giving advice to the Bahraini regime to help it crush the protests.