German opposition parties condemn arms sale to Qatar

Lawmakers from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Greens and The Left party (Die Linke) voiced outrage over Berlin's decision to sell up to 200 advanced Leopard tanks to Qatar.

    They said the decision shows German Councilor Angela Markel’s “Moral bankruptcy” and Berlin’s support for the dictators and torturers.

Katja Keul, the parliamentary secretary of the Green Party, argued that the economic and social condition of Qatari people is catastrophic, stressing that 90 percent of the Qataris work for the welfare of the rich 10 percent.

“The Qatari government does not make any efforts to improve the life of its citizens and there is no evidence of social or democratic openings in this country,” Keul said.

Fierce criticism also came from the left as the party warned the government against selling arms freely to Arab countries.

Meanwhile, German peace movement activists have condemned Berlin’s decision to sell arms to the Persian Gulf estate.

“There is no parliament in Qatar, while the formation of political parties and syndicates are not allowed. The Amnesty International has categorized the human rights situation in Qatar as harsh,” spokesman of Germany's peace movement Peter Strutynski said.

Strutynski went on to say that most Germans are against sending arms to countries like Qatar. He also urged the government to dissolve the country’s Federal Security Council and leave the decision of arms sales to the parliament.

German peace movement has also planned a protest outside the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann factory, the manufacturer of the tanks, in the city Kassel on August 31.