New York: The United Nations Security Council members have underlined the need to ensure accountability for violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in Yemen. They have also stressed the need to avoid any actions that could cause suffering to the civilian population in the conflict-ridden country.
According to a Security Council press statement issued on October 20, 2021 by Council President Martin Kimani of Kenya, the members condemned the Houthi cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia as well as the increasing number of incidents off the coast of Yemen, including attacks on civilian and commercial ships, which pose a significant risk to the maritime security of vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.
The UNSC members highlighted the October 8, 2021 attack on King Abdullah Airport and the drone attacks striking the Abha civilian airport, and stressed the need for de-escalation by all, including an immediate end to the Houthi escalation in Marib. They condemned the recruitment and use of children, and sexual violence, in conflict. They also condemned the car-bomb attack targeting an official convoy in Aden.
There are 20 million people, or two thirds of Yemen’s population, that need humanitarian assistance, with 5 million people just a step away from famine and about 400,000 children at imminent risk of death from malnutrition, according to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, David Gressly, .
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While reiterating their commitment to a Yemeni‑led, consensus-based political solution, and the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women, youth, in accordance with relevant provisions of UNSC resolutions, the members demanded an immediate nationwide ceasefire in the country. They expressed clear support for the principles of inclusivity and participation, including of women and the full breadth of political stakeholders, established by the National Dialogue Conference.
In that regard, they recalled their welcoming of the announcement of Saudi Arabia on March 22, 2021 that was supported by the Government of Yemen. They recalled their strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen and expressed concern that a lack of progress in the peace process could be exploited by terrorists in Yemen. They called on all Member States and other actors to comply fully with their obligations under the targeted arms embargo.
The UNSC members reaffirmed the need for all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including those related to humanitarian access and the protection of civilians including humanitarian and health workers and their facilities. They condemned “in the strongest terms” violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as well as human rights abuses.
The members of the Security Council also expressed grave concern for the dire humanitarian situation, including prolonged starvation and the growing risk of large-scale famine, which is compounded by the dire economic situation. They called on the government of Yemen to facilitate, regularly and without delay, the entry of fuel ships into Hudaydah port and emphasised the importance of all parties ensuring the free flow of fuel inside the country to deliver essential commodities and humanitarian aid, and underscored that fuel that arrives through Hudaydah port should not be used for personal profit or to fund escalation of the conflict. They urged the parties to work towards the stability of Hudaydah, including through cooperation with the United Nations Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA). They called for an end to the encirclement of Al‑Abdiyah.
The UNSC also stressed the central role of economic collapse in driving famine risk and the need for economic reform, including improved coordination of basic financial activity within Yemen. They expressed deep concern for the collapse in the rial-dollar exchange rate in southern Yemen and urged the Government of Yemen and Yemen’s partners to consider all possible measures to strengthen the economy including further foreign exchange injections into the Central Bank. They recalled the grave threat posed by the Safer oil tanker, recalled Houthi responsibility and looked forward to welcoming cooperation of all parties involved to peacefully resolve the situation.
The members welcomed the return of the Prime Minister to Yemen and stressed the importance of supporting the Government to deliver essential services to the Yemeni people. They expressed their strong support for the Prime Minister’s drive for economic reform. They called on all actors to work constructively to implement the Riyadh Agreement fully and enable the provision of government services in order to bring stability to southern Yemen.
– global bihari bureau
