GENEVA - UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said today he was appalled by the growing toll on civilians arising from the deepening conflict in Yemen between the 'Ansar Allah' armed group, the Government of Yemen and affiliated forces. He decried the increased suffering and fear brought on the already exhausted population.
Ground fighting, artillery fire and airstrikes, including drone and missile strikes, have killed and wounded at least 125 civilians since a wave of new attacks by 'Ansar Allah' at the start of August. The renewed hostilities have forced large-scale displacement of civilians, some of whom have fled the country, further damaged the already fragile civilian infrastructure, and limited civilian access to essential services.
"As if the people of Yemen haven't already endured enough misery, civilians are now bearing the brunt of this latest upsurge in fighting. Many are being forced to flee for their lives," said Türk.
"Civilians must never be targeted, and their protection must be the overriding priority."
The UN Human Rights Office has documented the killings of 32 civilians, including 15 children and three women, since the start of August. About 125,000 people have been displaced by the renewed violence. The Office has also documented three reported attacks by 'Ansar Allah' forces on sites hosting internally displaced people in Ma'rib Governorate on 7 August and 7 and 9 September.
International humanitarian law applies to all parties to the conflict and the rights of all those in Yemen must be respected and protected regardless of where they live.
"Warring parties must distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military objectives; respect the principles of proportionality and precaution; and take all feasible measures to prevent or minimize civilian harm," the High Commissioner said.
"Nor do warnings or the designation of so-called 'kill zones', as recently declared by the Government of Yemen, remove the protection afforded to civilians and civilian objects."
Türk called on all parties to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian relief for civilians in need. "People fleeing the fighting, as well as those already displaced, must be protected and have safe access to food, water, shelter, healthcare and other essential services," he said.
"I urge all parties to step back from further escalation, respect and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches all those who need it," the High Commissioner added. "The people of Yemen cannot withstand another full-scale conflict."
Alongside the grave concerns about the escalation of hostilities, Türk also insisted on the immediate release of the 73 UN staff members, as well as others, arbitrarily detained by the 'Ansar Allah' group - some for many years. "Their ongoing detention, wholly outside the protection of the law, is intolerable and unacceptable. I fear even further for their safety amid this renewed fighting," he said.
