The 51st Session of the Human Rights Council

12 September 2022 - 7 October 2022

Item 3 : Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

21 September 2022 

Statement of the Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration and Geneva International Centre for Justice

Delivered by Namrata Hazarika/ GICJ

Thank you, President

We are alarmed by the human rights situation in Yemen. Embroiled in sexual and gender-based violence, arbitrary arrests and extra-judicial killings, Yemen is facing one of the worst humanitarian situations of the 21st century. Although humanitarian aid is being provided, it continuously fails to reach the people it is intended for. This is because the armed Houthi militias in Sana'a intervene and seize the aid, birthing a self-perpetuating cycle of human rights violations.

Terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi militia add to the already existing issues of starvation, lack of sanitation, and lack of health care. The Houthi militias deliberately fail to provide civilians their rights to health care and safe drinking water. Such practices are mostly prevalent in the areas of Sana’a, Hodeidah, Ibb, Aden, Taiz and Marib. Thus, the basic fundamental rights of a majority of Yemen’s population are being compromised, curbing any scope for development. 

Maonah and Geneva International Centre for Justice reiterate that the militia's deprivation of healthcare rights amounts to war crimes for which they must be held accountable. The inability of the Yemeni justice system to criminalise the Houthi militias perpetuates their impunity. To ensure protection of all rights under Item 3, we urge member-states to exert political pressure on the de-facto authorities to ensure accountability of human right abuses.

Thank you.