On 24 September 2020, ADHRB has delivered an oral intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 45 during on interactive debate under item 3.
Madame President,
We express our deep dismay about the ongoing systematic violations of the Yemeni people’s rights caused by the continuation of war, exacerbated by the effects of the Saudi and UAE led Coalition’s unlawful blockade.
Currently, there are 22 ships carrying fuel, food and medicine destined to Yemen that have been cleared by the U.N. Verification and Inspection Mechanism months ago but yet remain confiscated by the Coalition to this date. If the U.N. does not put an end to this piracy, the continued prevention of entry of the desperately needed fuel will result in the closure of the remaining 40% of hospitals in Yemen, that survived the targeting of the unlawful Coalition’s airstrikes. Due to the lack of necessary supplies, the already decimated healthcare system is being forced to reduce access to millions of civilians. The issue extends to other sectors including the education, agricultural, telecom and transportation among others, not to mention the severe effects that the blockade is having on the widespread starvation of the Yemeni people.
As the late UN Special Rapporteur Idriss Jazairy stated, the blockade imposed by the Coalition involves grave breaches of the most basic norms of human rights law, as well as the law of armed conflict.
Yet despite this the Coalition under cover of the Hadi administration continues with definitive knowledge and intent of triggering the World’s worst humanitarian crisis, all with international recognition and support.
Madame President, to express concern is not enough, the Yemeni people need action, now.
Thank you.
