Human Rights should be more important than Arms Sales

9.22.10am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th Sep 2005

Human Rights should be more important than Arms Sales

The Liberal Democrats have condemned the fact countries with poor human rights records, such as China, Columbia and Indonesia have been invited to biennial Defence Systems and Equipment International in Docklands.

Andrew George MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow International Development Secretary said "While the Prime Minister campaigns on development and human rights at the UN, we will be hosting the world's biggest arms fair, promoting arms sales to governments who abuse human rights. Instead of supporting arms sales to these countries, the Government should be concentrating on fulfilling the promises made at Gleneagles, which already look like hollow words."