A/HRC/45/CRP.7
approximately US$400 in 2015, but was now worth only about US$121. In parallel,
according to the World Bank, in April 2020, the Houthis announced the payment of “halfmonth” salaries to all public employees in the north.191 This situation of irregular payment or
non-payment of salaries worsens an already destabilised economy and leaves people in
Yemen extremely vulnerable to any price increases.192
146. Many Yemeni people interviewed by the Group noted that even when food, water,
medicine and fuel are available, they are prohibitively expensive. The restrictions since 2015
on imports and access to Al-Hudaydah port have contributed to a man-made fuel crisis and
to the rise of prices against the backdrop of currency depreciation. The port controls meant
that for several years almost the only import coming in through Al-Hudaydah port was fuel,
and even in this case, it was often delayed, possibly due to corruption and the intention to
inflate fuel prices.193 All fuel shipments destined for Houthi-controlled Hudaydah port must
pass through the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) and then
through the port and anchoring process before the fuel can be purchased and used in Yemen,
all of which contributes to an increase in fuel prices in Yemen.194 There were only a few
reported exceptions in which, for example, WFP, UNICEF, and medical aid agencies were
able to get goods through Al-Hudaydah.195
Legal findings
147. The Group of Experts concludes that actions and omissions by the Government of
Yemen and the de facto authorities are violating the right to an adequate standard of living,
particularly with respect to adequate food and water. Their failures in these areas also
adversely impact on the enjoyment of other rights, such as the right to health. The Group
concludes that the Houthis have interfered with humanitarian aid in violation of their
international obligations under both international human rights law and international
humanitarian law. Wilfully impeding relief supplies is part of the war crime of the use of
starvation as a method of war recognised under customary international law. The Group
further concludes that all parties to the conflict have impeded humanitarian operations and
the population’s access to food and healthcare. The Group considers that the dire
humanitarian situation in Yemen could be substantially mitigated if parties to the conflict
began to respect and comply with their obligations under international law.
D.
Arbitrary detention, torture and other forms of ill-treatment, and
enforced disappearances
1.
Introduction
148. The Group of Experts continued to investigate cases of arbitrary detention, torture
including sexual violence, and other forms of ill-treatment, and enforced disappearances,
committed by parties to the conflict, building upon the previous work of the Group. Some
violations falling within these categories are also dealt with in other sections of this Report.
This section should thus be read in conjunction with those portions of this report dealing with
gender-based violence, including sexual violence (paras. 182 and ff), the treatment of specific
groups, including migrants, minorities, journalists and human rights defenders (paras. 296
and ff) and administration of justice (paras 384 and ff).
2. Applicable law
149. Under international human rights law, everyone has the right to liberty and security
of the person. “Arbitrary detention” is prohibited, and no one is to be deprived of liberty
191
World Bank, Yemen Monthly Economic Update, April 2020, available at:
http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/609141590055031061/Yemen-Monthly-Economic-Update-April2020-eng.pdf
192 Confidential source on file.
193 Confidential sources and documents on file.
194 Confidential source on file., and:
https://sanaacenter.org/publications/main-publications/10093#_Toc40179965
195 Confidential sources on file.
42
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