Former British diplomat exposes London’s war crimes
Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism- A former British diplomat has revealed the backstory behind London's arms export policies, stating that the country's government has supported and been complicit in states accused of war crimes by manipulating legal assessments.
According to Tabnak, Mark Smith, a diplomat and former advisor to the British Foreign Office on arms policy, openly stated in an article in the Guardian newspaper that he witnessed systematic cover-up, manipulation of legal reports, suppression of revelations and continued arms sales to countries that have widely violated international law. He emphasized that these actions have exposed the British government to accusations of complicity in war crimes.
Smith, who worked as a legal assessor for arms sales at the Foreign Office, revealed that he and his colleagues were under intense pressure from senior government officials to tailor their reports to downplay evidence of breaches of international law. He said expert reports on rising civilian casualties and the illegal use of British weapons had been repeatedly returned for revision and political change.
In part of his revelations, he said: “Government ministers can manipulate the legal process to shield their friendly countries from legal liability. They create an appearance of legitimacy through delay, distortion and concealment, while allowing crimes against humanity to occur.”
Smith revealed in the memo that senior British government officials had confirmed that Saudi airstrikes in Yemen had resulted in widespread civilian casualties and exceeded legal limits; But instead of halting the arms exports, the government tried to buy time and prevent the suspension of arms sales through administrative means.
The former British diplomat also stated that the British government was aware of the arms exports to Israel for attacks on civilian areas, but still supported their sale. He emphasized that during the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza, he tried to provide senior officials with detailed information about the use of British weapons in the killing of civilians, but he was ordered not to put these matters in writing so that they could not be followed up.
In another part of his memo, Smith described the mechanism for suppressing disclosures in the British Foreign Office, saying that as soon as objections were raised about the illegality of arms exports, he and other officials were pressured to remain silent and delete documents.
He clarified in this regard: “When I asked about the legal basis for arms sales to Israel, I was met with hostility and silence. Emails went unanswered. I was warned not to put my concerns in writing. Instead of responding, they ordered me to delete the correspondence and not to violate the established framework. ”
The former British diplomat stressed that what he saw in the London government went beyond moral failure and becoming an accomplice to war crimes. He warned that some British government officials may be held personally responsible under international law.
He said in this regard: “The British government has resorted to illegal concealment and justifications to evade responsibility, but complicity in war crimes has legal consequences. Some government officials may be charged under international law. ”
At the end of his note, he warned British government officials: “It is time to end the silence. This is not self-defense, this is a crime against humanity. The legal and moral system cannot ignore these actions.”
The former British diplomat’s revelations came as London is under increasing pressure for its role in supplying weapons to the Zionist regime during the Gaza war. The British government had no objection to arms exports to Israel until the Starmer government came to power, and it was only after months of political pressure and media revelations that it was forced to suspend some of these exports.
According to independent reports, British weapons were used in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, and London officials were aware of this. In addition, the British government has tried to delay legal proceedings over its role in these attacks.
Smith’s revelations show that London has not only been complicit in war crimes in the Middle East, but has resorted to suppressing information and pressuring whistleblowers to hide its role. With increasing international pressure and legal complaints, it is likely that some British officials will also be exposed to these cases.
