GENEVA - UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk today expressed alarm at the encirclement of Taiz by de facto authorities in Yemen, saying they must immediately allow humanitarian relief to reach the city, to avert a human rights catastrophe.
"The Houthis' closure of the only supply route linking Taiz to Aden is placing civilians at grave risk, blocking humanitarian aid and cutting off essential supplies," the High Commissioner said.
As a consequence, prices of commodities have multiplied, leaving many without food or other basic necessities. The UN Human Rights Office has also monitored restrictions on safe access to water and essential goods through the Al-Dhabab route, exacerbating humanitarian needs and increasing risks for civilians.
"Humanitarian aid must be immediately allowed to enter the city and its passage must be facilitated. Civilians wishing to leave must be allowed to do so freely and safely," Türk said.
Between 1 August and 19 October, UN Human Rights verified that 32 civilians have been killed across Taiz Governorate, including 14 children and 9 women, while 115 civilians were injured, among them 36 children and 34 women.
As fighting moves closer to densely populated areas of the city, Türk warned that the risk of death and injury to civilians increases significantly. "I urge all parties to the conflict to refrain from the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and civilian objects," he said.
The High Commissioner also renewed his call on the de facto authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all UN and other NGO staff who are arbitrarily detained, and to promptly disclose the whereabouts of those being held incommunicado for prolonged periods.
