The 54th Session of the Human Rights Council
11th September-13th October 2023
Item 2: General Debate on the Oral Update by the High Commissioner of Human Rights
Joint Statement with Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Geneva International Centre for Justice
13th September 2023
Delivered by Juliet Wishner / GICJ
Thank you, Mr. President.
The High Commissioner outlined human rights violations occurring in 15 different countries.
We echo the specific concerns pertaining to environmental degradation around the world, and how this leads to poverty, food insecurity, and conflict.
Unfortunately, the High Commissioner did not address the deterioration of human rights in Yemen, which is of urgent concern. As the world moves forward, the people of Yemen continue to suffer: it is crucial to continue to condemn and document violence by Houthi militias against vulnerable populations.
Since the 2014 coup, Houthi militias have continuously violated human rights. Women are systematically oppressed by these militias, with repeated restrictions on their freedoms of movement, expression, health, and work.
Child soldiers continue to be recruited–and killed–despite promises to end this practice. Journalists remain under threat, as recently demonstrated in the August 24th brutal assault on Mujalli As-Samadi.
These violations of human rights cannot occur undiscussed. As the High Commissioner warned, we cannot become numb to the plight of vulnerable populations. Rather, we must double our efforts to protect the human rights of all.
Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) urge the council and the international community to not forget about those suffering around the world, particularly those suffering in Yemen. We call for States to commit to peace through not engaging in arms sales with Houthi militias and holding them accountable for human rights violations.
Thank you.
