International Organizations Urge Human Rights Council to Establish Independent International Accountability Mechanism for Yemen
Yemen Monitor/Newsroom
Five international organizations have criticized the Human Rights Council for its inaction and indifference in the face of the escalating human rights crisis in Yemen.
In an exchange of views on the key outcomes of the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, the organizations highlighted the gaps in addressing critical issues and situations.
Organizations including the International Service for Human Rights, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, the Global Alliance for Civic Participation, the International Federation for Human Rights, and the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies believe that the continued inaction and indifference of the Council in the face of the escalating human rights crisis in Yemen is deeply concerning.
They affirmed that since the dissolution of the Group of Eminent Experts, and despite years of increasing atrocities, they have yet to see the strong and independent type of international investigations that are so desperately needed.
They added, “Instead, the Council’s approach has been characterized by incomplete measures and complacency, allowing widespread abuses to continue unchecked.”
They stated that despite the fragile humanitarian situation, the recent wave of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions by the de facto Houthi authorities, and the recent Israeli bombing, Yemen has increasingly become a forgotten crisis.
They believe that the current Human Rights Council resolution on Yemen is a failure, as technical assistance without reporting or discussion is an inadequate response.
They continued, “The decision’s abandonment of the interactive dialogue on the implementation of this assistance is an oversight and undermines the principles of accountability and transparency.”
The organizations welcomed the inclusion of an approach in the resolution recognizing the vital role played by NGO workers and humanitarian workers arbitrarily detained by the Houthis.
They called for the immediate and unconditional release of those who remain detained simply for trying to ensure respect for the rule of law and protect victims.
They urged the Council to act decisively, prioritize the establishment of an independent international accountability mechanism, and place the protection of civilians at the forefront of its deliberations on Yemen.
