A/HRC/42/CRP.1
their work, often resulting in discontinuation of services they provide to people in need. All
of these acts amount to violations of the rights of the Yemeni population, and many of them
amount to violations of international law, including international crimes.
922. Where frontlines of the armed conflict have remained relatively static for years, as in
Ta’izz, the continued use of siege tactics that make life unbearable for civilians is
indefensible, increasingly so as the extreme impact on the population becomes ever more
apparent over time. Similarly, the continuation of practices that affect the whole population
such as restrictions on commercial goods and delaying and diverting humanitarian aid,
which are visibly starving the population, are simply inexcusable. Yemen continues to be
referred to as the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis” while in the same breath it is
acknowledged as “man-made”, something that the Group has seen ample evidence to
support. That this continues in the face of the clear knowledge of the parties as to the
effects of their tactics on the survival of the population has led the Group to conclude that
these acts may amount to violations of international law, and even international crimes.
923. The progress on discussions aimed at reaching a political settlement in 2018, which
resulted in the Stockholm Agreement ceasefire in al-Hudaydah and agreements for three
major commercial ports as well as a statement of understanding on Ta’izz, and a plan for
exchange of prisoners was encouraging. However, the implementation of the Agreement
has been far less so. While the ceasefire in al-Hudaydah helped prevent further
exacerbation of the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis facing Yemen, instead of using
this as an opportunity to focus on political settlement, the parties shifted their efforts and
resources to reinforce and further push frontlines in other areas. Where battles continue,
civilians flee their homes, often in dire circumstances, facing impossible journeys, and both
those fleeing and those who stay are regularly affected by the indiscriminate use of
weapons that destroys families and livelihoods.
924. 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.
925. The failure of 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 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.
926. The 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 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.
927. As the population continues to suffer, it is abundantly clear that ending the suffering
of the Yemeni people is impossible without peace, which will only come from a negotiated
political settlement that includes measures for ensuring accountability for human rights
violations. Without such a settlement, Yemen is destined to continue this cycle of violence
and serious violations of international law. The international community has an obligation
to support Yemen in achieving sustainable peace.
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