The 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

28 February to 1 April 2022

Statement of Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration 

GD item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention 

22 March 2022

By Conall Corrigan

Thank you, Mr President,

We would like to draw attention to the human rights violations committed by Iranian-backed militia groups across the Middle East.

In Yemen, Iranian weapons have been supplied to incredibly dangerous actors, including Houthi militia, resulting in mass fatalities and casualties. In 2021 alone, 190 cases of forced disappearances were documented including 28 children.

Militias use various methods to repress the Yemeni people including murder, arbitrary detention and torture. 

The gender-based nature of attacks against women in Yemen is particularly concerning. Militias use techniques specifically aimed at women to ensure their repression, including the use of sexual assault and rape. Human Rights Defenders face repression for their work on women’s rights issues exposing them to additional layers of vulnerability and reinforcing the dangers they face in advocating for equality. 

The actions of militias in Yemen have exacerbated the already precarious living conditions in the region resulting in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. 

Ma’onah and Geneva International Centre for Justice are deeply concerned about the ongoing human rights abuses committed by militias in Yemen and call on the international community to condemn their actions and provide support and justice for civilians. 

Steps must be taken to prevent this group from continuing its grave violations. This should involve the intervention of the international community and firmer condemnation of the actors involved in the war to ensure accountability and a peaceful outcome. The UN must urgently add this militia to the terrorist list. 

Thank you.