Yemen: An “entirely man-made catastrophe” – UN human rights report urges international investigation
GENEVA (5 September 2017) – Human rights violations and abuses continue unabated in Yemen, along with unrelenting
violations of international humanitarian law, with civilians suffering deeply the consequences of an “entirely man-made
catastrophe”, according to a UN human rights report published on Tuesday.
The report, mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, records violations and abuses of human rights and international
humanitarian law over three years, since September 2014. Between March 2015, when the UN Human Rights Office began
reporting on civilian casualties, and 30 August, at least 5,144 civilians have been documented as killed and more than
8,749 injured.* Children accounted for 1,184 of those who were killed and 1,541 of those injured. Coalition airstrikes
continued to be the leading cause of child casualties as well as overall civilian casualties. Some 3,233 of the
civilians killed were reportedly killed by Coalition forces.
In addition to markets, hospitals, schools, residential areas, and other public and private infrastructure, the past
year witnessed airstrikes against funeral gatherings and small civilian boats. Such incidents were widespread, the
report states.
The Popular Committees affiliated with the Houthis and the army units loyal to former President Abdullah Saleh (the
Houthi/Saleh forces) were responsible for some 67 per cent of the 1,702 cases of recruitment of children for use in
hostilities. UN Human Rights monitors frequently observed children as young as 10 who were armed and uniformed, manning
checkpoints. Houthi/Saleh forces were also found to be responsible for widespread arbitrary or unlawful detentions.
The report found that the governorates most affected by the conflict were Aden, Al-Hudaydah, Sana’a and Taizz. The
humanitarian crisis – with nearly 18.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid and 7.3 million on the brink of famine
– is a direct result of the behaviour of parties to the conflict, including indiscriminate attacks, attacks against
civilians and protected objects, sieges, blockades and restrictions on movement, the report states.
“In many cases, information obtained…suggested that civilians may have been directly targeted, or that operations were
conducted heedless of their impact on civilians without regard to the principles of distinction, proportionality and
precautions in attack. In some cases, information suggested that no actions were taken to mitigate the impact of
operations on civilians,” the report states.
“The shelling of Taizz has been unrelenting, even after the impact of these attacks on civilians and civilian objects
became apparent to the parties involved. The use of such tactics appears to be in violation of the prohibition of
indiscriminate attacks and of the obligation to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and civilian
objects.”
The report adds that the use of restricted weapons continues. It stresses that “the minimal efforts towards
accountability in the past year are wholly insufficient to respond to the gravity of violations and abuses continuing
every day in Yemen.”
The National Commission established to investigate human rights violations in Yemen is not perceived to be impartial,
the report notes. In the absence of its recognition by all parties to the conflict, the Commission cannot deliver
comprehensive, impartial reporting on the human rights situation in Yemen.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said it was crucial for an independent, international
investigation to be established on the conflict in Yemen.
“I have repeatedly called on the international community to take action – to set up an independent, international
investigation into the allegations of very serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in
Yemen. An international investigation would go a long way in putting on notice the parties to the conflict that the
international community is watching and determined to hold to account perpetrators of violations and abuses,” High
Commissioner Zeid said.
“The reticence of the international community in demanding justice for the victims of the conflict in Yemen is shameful,
and in many ways contributing to the continuing horror.”
“I appeal to all the parties to the conflict, those supporting them and those with influence over them to have mercy on
the people of Yemen, and to take immediate measures to ensure humanitarian relief for civilians and justice for the
victims of violations,” Zeid added.”
Other armed actors have continued to take advantage of the prevailing insecurity in Yemen. Over the past year, extremist
groups have sustained and adapted their presences. For example, after being driven out of Al Mukalla in Hadramaut
governorate in April 2016, Al Qaida is now operational in Taizz city.
The report raises fears of a full-scale operation on Al Hudaydah, which could lead to significant civilian casualties
and increased displacement, as well as further limiting access to goods essential to the survival of the population that
are supplied to most of the country through the port of Al Hudaydah. “Sieges and blockades imposed by the warring
parties have had a devastating impact on civilians, preventing them from leaving areas affected by conflict to safety
and, when they remain, preventing them from accessing goods necessary for survival,” the report states.
“I call on all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and to work robustly towards a negotiated and durable
solution, so that the people of Yemen may finally know peace,” High Commissioner Zeid said.
ENDS