A/HRC/42/CRP.1
place to hide from the fighting. Landmines left by the Houthis kill and maim people long
after battles have subsided. The blockade, siege-like tactics, attacks impacting objects
essential to the survival of the population and impediments to the delivery of aid deprive
the population of necessary items amidst the unprecedented humanitarian crisis. People are
arrested and detained arbitrarily, disappeared, and subjected to torture and ill-treatment,
including sexual violence. The population lives in fear of being detained or otherwise
targeted for any perceived dissent. Parties to the conflict actively recruit children, including
through force, and restrict the work of activists, journalists, human rights defenders and
humanitarian workers.
The Group of Experts has identified a number of individuals who may bear
responsibility for violations and possible crimes. The individuals concerned should be
investigated with a view to prosecution. Their names have been communicated on a strictly
confidential basis to the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The failure of the parties to acknowledge any responsibility for violations and their
refusal to take any meaningful steps to remedy the situations from which they occur has
resulted in a pervasive lack of accountability, which only further encourages the cycle of
disregard for the rights of the Yemeni population and foments impunity for crimes
committed in Yemen. The Government of Yemen has a responsibility to remedy the
violations as a matter of the utmost urgency. The de facto authorities and members of the
coalition, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, bear enormous
responsibility and must take action against those within their ranks who are responsible.
The onus is also on the international community, especially those States that have influence
over parties to the conflict, to both condemn and take appropriate steps to prevent the
violations and to assist Yemen in ensuring that the perpetrators of crimes are held to
account. Moreoever, the continued supply of weapons to parties involved in the conflict in
Yemen perpetuates the conflict and the suffering of the population.
The Group of Experts and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights have formulated concrete recommendations in their reports to the Human Rights
Council (A/HRC/30/31, A/HRC/33/38, A/HRC/36/33, A/HRC39/43, and A/HRC/42/17),
as have many international and national civil society organizations. These
recommendations should be implemented immediately.
The Group of Experts reiterates that steps required to address the human rights and
international law violations in Yemen have been continually discussed, and there can no
longer be any excuses made for failure to take meaningful steps to address them. The best
way to protect the Yemeni population is to stop the fighting by reaching a political
settlement which includes measures for accountability.
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