Report Condemns Atrocities of Houthi Rebels in Yemen

• by Emirates News Agency (abu dhabi)
• Monday, September 28, 2015
• Inter Press Service

The report by the Yemeni Coalition to Monitor Human Rights Violations (YCMHRV), prepared from reports by the organisation's field monitors in Yemen, outlines a series of atrocities committed over the past year in Sana'a, the capital, Aden, Taiz, Lahej, Hodiedah, Addali'e, Abyan, Dhamar and Shabwa, governorates (see full report in report. http://www.wam.ae/en/news/international/1395286001275.html).

The report tied the Houthi militia and an allied group operating under the command of former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh with unconstitutional overthrow of the legitimate government that has resulted in human rights violations that have afflicted men, women, children, property and the environment.

The findings show that between September 2014 and August 2015, 3,074 people were murdered, about 20 percent of whom were women and children, and 7,347 civilians were wounded due to random shelling, at least 25 percent of whom were women and children. A total of 5,894 people were arbitrarily detained during the monitoring period – 4,640 of them were released and 1,254 people remain in captivity.

The report also focuses on arbitrary detention, forcible disappearances and hostage taking violations, which the monitors said have been carried out regularly by the rebel militia against politicians, journalists, and human rights and political activists. It said detainees are frequently mistreated and deprived of basic needs such as food, water and proper hygiene and sanitation. Monitors also reported that some detainees are used as human shields at military sites that have been targeted by the Coalition airstrikes.

"This is a clear violation of both national and international legislation," said the report. "The de facto forces, the Houthis, failed to observe their commitment towards human rights and humanitarian law, being the power in control that practices the state's functions. Rather, the Houthis-Saleh showed total recklessness towards human rights and human suffering."

The report concludes with recommendations, calling on the Houthi-Saleh militia, Yemeni government and the international community to implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions. It also calls on the international community to support the newly established National Commission to investigate alleged human rights Violations with all needed technical assistance. (END)

© Inter Press Service (2015) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

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