Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism – The Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts has released its fourth report today on the situation of human rights in Yemen
The Group of Eminent Experts stressed that the responsibility for violations rests with all parties to the conflict and concluded that particular violations have been committed by the Government of Yemen, the de facto authorities, the Southern Transitional Council, as well as members of the Coalition. As the Group has previously reported, there are no clean hands in this conflict. Many of the violations that the Group has identified may amount to international crimes.
“The climate of fear, lawlessness and impunity for all those living in Yemen has worsened further despite political agreements and high-level discussions between key actors, including under the auspices of the former Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Mr. Martin Griffiths,” said Kamel Jendoubi, the Chairperson of the Group of Eminent Experts.
The Group of Eminent Experts reiterated the urgency for the parties to the conflict to agree to a full cessation of hostilities and achieve a sustainable and inclusive peace, urging them to immediately take steps to cease the ongoing violations and prevent new ones. The Group also stressed that all measures should be taken, by the parties as well as by the international community, to ensure accountability for perpetrators of the violations committed in Yemen, and the realization of victims’ rights to truth, justice and reparation.
Kamel Jendoubi said: “For us, it is now clear that no peace, let alone a sustainable and inclusive one, can be achieved in the absence of political will and a strong commitment for accountability.”
The Group of Eminent Experts expresses concern about the failure of third States to stop transfers of arms or the provision of other military support to the parties of the conflict. Chairperson Kamel Jendoubi stated: “Given the horrific toll the war continues to take on the people of Yemen, it does not stand to reason that third States continue to supply the parties to the conflict with the tools of war. The flow of arms must stop now.”
