Item 4: General debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention, report by the High Commissioner on DPRK

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

55th session of the Human Rights Council

21st March 2024

Delivered by Sofya Losikova /GICJ

Thank you, Mr. President.

I would like to bring the Council’s attention to the grave situation in Yemen. On the 19th of March, the Houthi militias bombed a number of houses in the city of Radaa in central Yemen. By doing so, they destroyed dozens of homes, trapping civilians under the rubble, consequently killing and injuring more than thirty residents of the Al-Hafra neighbourhood.

The lack of international scrutiny in relation to the transgressions perpetrated by the Houthis indicates a flagrant disregard for Resolution 2426, which designates the Houthis as a terrorist entity. This negligence serves as the foremost catalyst for the unchecked policing of violence, devastation, and fatalities perpetuated by Houthi militias.

It is imperative that, in cases where local mechanisms have failed, those responsible for the widespread destruction of civilian homes and systematic attacks against civilians are held criminally accountable before the relevant judicial bodies.

Association Ma’onah and Geneva International Centre for Justice jointly appeal to the Council and the International Criminal Court to promptly initiate an investigation into the war crimes committed by the Iranian affiliated Houthi militia. In accordance with Article 28(b) of the Rome Statute, which holds superiors criminally liable for crimes committed by subordinates, we emphasise the urgent need for international justice to prosecute not only the leaders of the Houthi militia, but also their Iranian supervisors, to the fullest extent of the law.

Thank you.

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