UN report on human rights situation in Yemen since 2014 (Part 1)

Situation of human rights in Yemen, including violations and abuses since September 2014

Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights containing the findings of the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts and a summary of technical assistance provided by the Office of the High Commissioner to the National Commission of Inquiry

Summary

The present report is being submitted to the Human Rights Council in accordance with Council resolution 36/31. Part I of the report contains the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts on Yemen. Part II provides an account of the technical assistance provided by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the National Commission of Inquiry into abuses and violations of human rights in Yemen.

I. Findings of the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts on Yemen

A. Introduction and mandate

1. In its resolution 36/31, the Human Rights Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to establish a group of eminent international and regional experts on Yemen to monitor and report on the situation of human rights. The group was mandated to carry out a comprehensive examination of all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights and other appropriate and applicable fields of international law committed by all parties to the conflict since September 2014, including the possible gender dimensions of such violations, and to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged violations and abuses and, where possible, to identify those responsible.

2. On 4 December 2017, the High Commissioner established the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts, appointing Charles Garraway (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Kamel Jendoubi (Tunisia) and Melissa Parke (Australia) as the experts, and Mr. Jendoubi as Chair.

3. The Group of Experts examined alleged violations and abuses of international human rights and other appropriate and applicable fields of international law committed by parties to the conflict. In addition to international human rights law, the Group applied international humanitarian law, international refugee law and international criminal law.

4. Given the limited access, resources and time available to fulfil its wide mandate, the Group of Experts examined incidents based on the gravity of the allegations of violations; their significance in demonstrating patterns of alleged violations; access to victims, witnesses and supporting documentation; and the geographic locations of the incidents. It also considered the gender dimensions of violations and the impact on vulnerable groups. In the light of the emphasis on accountability in the Group’s mandate, the experts focused on establishing the facts and circumstances of the violations and, where possible, identifying those responsible for them.

5. In the findings, the term “pro-government forces” refers to actors fighting against the Houthi-Saleh forces and “de facto authorities” refers to those controlling Sana’a and the surrounding areas, where the majority of the Yemeni population lives.

6. The present report, which covers the period 1 September 2021 to 30 June 2018, does not purport to be exhaustive in documenting the extraordinary number of relevant incidents that occurred in the reporting period. Nevertheless, the Group of Experts considers that the report is illustrative of the main types and patterns of violations.

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