Islamic Condemnation of Houthi Undermining of Yemeni State Institutions
The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed grave concern over the continued serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by the Houthi militias, considering that these grave violations have caused immense human suffering, weakened state institutions, exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, and severely affected the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms by the Yemeni people.
The commission, affiliated with the 57-member OIC, affirmed that Yemeni Minister of Human Rights Mushdal Mohammed Omar delivered a comprehensive briefing on the latest developments regarding the human rights situation in the country. It stated that after reviewing the information and documents presented, it strongly condemns the systematic and widespread violations committed by the Houthi militias, which continue to undermine legitimate state institutions, weaken the rule of law, obstruct humanitarian operations, and worsen the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. It also condemns human rights violations including unlawful killings, injury to civilians, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and other forms of ill-treatment, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, recruitment and systematic use of children in armed conflicts, attacks on humanitarian workers, medical facilities, educational institutions, and other civilian infrastructure, as well as the systematic planting and use of landmines and explosive remnants of war that continue to threaten civilian lives, hinder humanitarian access, and impede recovery and development efforts.
The commission reaffirmed the need for all relevant parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians and civilian objects, and called for ensuring safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need. It expressed grave concern over the plight of women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable groups, and called for the immediate release of all arbitrary detainees, disclosure of the fate and whereabouts of forcibly disappeared persons, full respect for due process guarantees, and the immediate cessation of child recruitment, as well as the rehabilitation and reintegration of affected children.
The commission demanded accountability for grave violations, an end to impunity, advancement of transitional justice initiatives, judicial and institutional reform, strengthening of national human rights institutions, and documentation of violations, with the aim of promoting sustainable peace and protecting the rights of all Yemenis. It praised the dedicated efforts of humanitarian organizations and OIC humanitarian institutions, particularly the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, in providing life-saving assistance under extremely difficult conditions.
The commission affirmed its unwavering support for the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen, and stressed that reaching a comprehensive political settlement through peaceful dialogue and in accordance with relevant international frameworks remains indispensable for the sustainable protection of human rights, restoration of the rule of law, and achievement of lasting peace, security, and stability in the country. It added that it will continue to cooperate with the legitimate government of Yemen and relevant OIC institutions to provide technical assistance, advisory services, and capacity-building programs, upon request, in support of national efforts to enhance human rights protection and institutional resilience.
In turn, the Yemeni Ministry of Human Rights welcomed the commission's statement, stating that it appreciates the professional and human rights role performed by the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission as the specialized human rights mechanism of the OIC, and its efforts to promote respect for human rights and entrench the principles of justice and the rule of law in the Islamic world. It considered that the statement reflected a deep awareness of the magnitude of the humanitarian tragedy caused by the militias' violations, and included an explicit condemnation of unlawful killings, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, child recruitment, targeting of civilians and civilian facilities, landmine planting, and other violations documented by the ministry and relevant national bodies over the years of the coup.
It described the statement's conclusions as important support for national efforts to document violations, provide justice for victims, and enhance accountability, and as reflecting growing consensus within regional organizations regarding the seriousness of violations committed in Yemen and the collective responsibility to protect civilians and support legitimate state institutions in performing their duties. At the same time, it called on the international community and international and regional organizations to build on the commission's statement and take more effective steps to pressure the terrorist Houthi militias to cease their violations, release all arbitrary detainees, abductees, and forcibly disappeared persons, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, and hold those responsible for violations accountable, thereby contributing to entrenching justice, protecting human rights, and supporting efforts to restore state institutions, consolidate the rule of law, and achieve lasting peace in Yemen.
Original source: Asharq Al-Awsat
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