A/HRC/19/51
51.
The delegation was also informed during a meeting with representatives of
numerous ministries and public bodies forming a technical committee that President Saleh
had announced an amnesty for security personnel on 27 November for the “mistakes” made
during the events of 2011. None of the persons present could confirm whether the
President’s announcement was of a formal nature or whether those benefitting from the
amnesty had been identified. Several committees were at work in Sanaa and Ta’izz to
evaluate material damages and offer compensation. Another committee established by the
Governor of Ta’izz had started to offer what some called “blood money” or “burial
allowance” to families of 22 civilian victims some 50 more cases were still under
consideration. The Governor’s fund relies on both public monies and private contributions.
It is unclear how the work of the committee ensures consistency in other locations, such as
Arhab, Sanaa or Aden, where many civilians died but no similar progress was reported. No
additional information was made available concerning this issue.
52.
Furthermore, OHCHR was informed by the technical committee chaired by the
Ministry of Human Rights of the adoption on 15 November 2011 of Decree No. 238, which
establishes a framework for the implementation of the recommendations made by OHCHR
following its assessment mission. OHCHR welcomes and commends the adoption of the
Decree, which calls on the Minister for Human Rights and the Minister for Legal Affairs to
present the Cabinet with a blueprint for the establishment of a commission of inquiry into
human rights violations, including programmes of compensation and reparation for victims.
According to the delegation’s interlocutors, work on the blueprint is continuing under the
new Government, even though no further progress was noted.
53.
OHCHR recommended that the Government of Yemen should enhance cooperation
with the United Nations, including through (a) the implementation of recommendations
made by the treaty bodies, at the universal periodic review and by special procedures; (b)
the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from
Enforced Disappearance and the Rome Statute; (c) the implementation of the
recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on children and armed
conflict.4 The delegation raised the above issues during its meetings with the Minister for
Human Rights and the Minister for Legal Affairs, who expressed their support for greater
cooperation with the United Nations, the implementation of treaty body recommendations
and the ratification of the above-mentioned international obligations. The delegation
learned that the new Cabinet was preparing a framework for implementing and
operationalizing the above recommendations to be submitted to the new Government for
approval. The above-mentioned steps had not, however, been implemented by the
Government at the time of the mission.
54.
OHCHR also recommended that the Government should strengthen its cooperation
with OHCHR and expedite the establishment of a national human rights institution in
accordance with the Paris Principles. OHCHR had on several occasions raised these issues
with the Permanent Representative of Yemen in Geneva, who consistently expressed his
Government’s willingness to create a framework for greater cooperation with OHCHR,
including for the establishment of a national human rights institution. During the mission,
both the Minister for Human Rights and the Minister for Legal Affairs expressed great
interest in forging stronger ties with OHCHR and working towards the establishment of
permanent representation of OHCHR in Yemen.
55.
One of the central recommendations made by OHCHR for the armed opposition
groups was the release of remaining detainees and the investigation of cases of torture and
enforced disappearance perpetrated by individuals under their command. The Government
4
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A/65/820–S/2011/250.
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