The Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts in Yemen Released Its "Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Yemen" (September 3, 2019) [1]
On September 3, 2019, the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts in Yemen released its “Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Yemen, Including Violations and Abuses Since September 2014 [3],” UN Document A/HRC/42/CRP.1*. The Report found “reasonable grounds to believe that the parties to the conflict in Yemen are responsible for an array of human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law. Some of these violations are likely to amount to war crimes.” Further, it presented “details of the findings by the Group of Experts with regard to the practical impact of these violations on the lives of ordinary Yemenis, which has been immense and wide ranging. Shelling and airstrikes create the sense that there is no safe 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 identified “individuals who may bear responsibility for violations and possible crimes” and communicated those names confidentially to the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Report lists a number of recommendations, including, inter alia: (1) ceasing all violence against civilians; (2) ceasing perpetration of sexual and gender-based violence; (3) allowing for the unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief; (4) ceasing the recruitment of children in the armed conflict; and (5) ending impunity and ensuring accountability for “violations of international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and crimes under international law.”