A/HRC/42/CRP.1 their families feared for their safety of movement, especially after several students were humiliated, assaulted or arbitrarily detained at checkpoints. 535 354. The conflict in Ta’izz, like elsewhere in Yemen, increased the burden on women, as well as their risk of being subjected to human rights violations. Women in many cases became the main breadwinners, and often ventured out alone for fear that their male relatives would be kidnapped or killed. Some of the most prominent activists in Ta’izz were women, a few of whom were killed during the conflict. The impact of the conflict on the city’s civilian population, including those with special needs and the elderly has been largely unreported. Ta’izz hosted a large number of members of the “Muhamasheen” community, who have also suffered numerous violations during the conflict.536 355. Many people that the Group of Experts spoke to felt that the suffering of Ta’izz had been neglected. They also spoke of the resilience of civilians in Ta’izz, and their will to regain their city as they knew it: “Taiz is a city of forgiveness. People used to sell their belongings for their children’s education. They used to view those who carried weapons as strange to Ta’izz… Extremism only leads to destruction. What is being done to Ta’izz today is from those who are not enlightened. They will not speak for us.”537 Conclusion 356. In a written reply to questions raised by the Group of Experts, in relation to the “siege” on Ta’izz, specifically between March and July 2015, the de facto authorities denied all allegations relating to preventing civilians from leaving the city, forcing them to walk distances, or stripping them from their belongings at checkpoints. The de facto authorities continued by saying, “if such cases existed, they were isolated and were dealt with”. The de facto authorities also denied imposing restrictions on humanitarian access or essential supplies and stated that goods were only stopped for regular security checks to ensure no weapons or prohibited items were being smuggled. 357. Blockades, sieges538 and siege-like warfare are not per se prohibited by international humanitarian law, as long as their purpose is to achieve a military objective and they are not imposed with the purpose to starve the civilian population.539 However, siege-like tactics may involve other violations of international humanitarian law, as can be seen in the case of Ta’izz. These include the imposition of unlawful impediments to humanitarian access, including attacks against humanitarian personnel and relief objects, as well as attacks against objects indispensable to the survival of the population, such as foodstuffs and medicine, or the removal thereof. The impact of the “siege” by the Houthis on the civilian population’s access to food, water and essential medical items to run hospitals and provide vital medical assistance was devastating. . Both parties have failed, either by restricting the entry of humanitarian assistance or by diverting aid inside the city to fulfil their obligation to provide essential supplies and to care for the sick and wounded. The siege-like tactics used by the Houthis as relates to Ta’izz also encroach on several human rights, such as the right to an adequate standard of living, including the right to food and water, the right to health, education, and to freedom of movement. 540 358. In such a context of dire humanitarian needs, there are legitimate concerns as to whether such acts are contributing to starvation. (See Chapter on violations related to the 535 Confidential Sources on File. For further details on the situation of the “Muhamasheen”, see chapter on vulnerable communities. 537 Testimony from confidential source, identity not shared for protection reasons. 538 The term “siege” is not defined by international law, but can be understood as “the military encirclement of an area with the imposition of restrictions on the entry and exit of essential goods with the aim of forcing its surrender”. See OHCHR, International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law Relevant to Siege Warfare, January 2017. 539 Article 14 Additional Protocol II, see also ICRC Study on customary IHL, rule 53. 540 Article 11 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Articles 11-12 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 536 85