UN Human Rights Council 41: Yemen
The UK remains deeply concerned by widespread human rights violations and abuses linked to the conflict in Yemen and urges all parties to engage with the Special Envoy.
Thank you, Mr President,
The United Kingdom welcomes Yemen’s continued engagement with the UPR process.
We welcome the Government of Yemen’s commitment to promote and protect human rights, including freedom of expression. We are pleased that the Government is addressing gender equality, including the participation of women in public life.
However, the UK remains deeply concerned by reports of widespread human rights violations and abuses being committed by all parties to the conflict in Yemen. We are particularly concerned by the lack of protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, cases of arbitrary detention and torture, religious persecution, restrictions on freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, restrictions on freedom of movement, detention of migrants, restrictions on women’s rights and girls’ access to education, sexual and gender-based violence, and recruitment of child soldiers.
We welcome the Government of Yemen’s acceptance of our recommendations, including for the protection of civilians, and access for humanitarian assistance. We urge all parties to continue engaging constructively with the UN Special Envoy to implement the Stockholm agreement and the UN-led peace process. We now encourage the Government of Yemen to take action to implement these commitments, and to investigate and prosecute human rights violations and abuses.
We are disappointed that the Government of Yemen has not accepted our recommendation to end arbitrary arrests and detention, including detention of migrants, enforced disappearance, torture and ill-treatment, and to ensure detainees are treated in accordance with international law and norms. We urge the Government of Yemen to address these critical issues.
Thank you, Mr President.