Geneva, October 8 (BNA) The Kingdom of Bahrain, Russia and other members of the United Nations Human Rights Council voted to end the investigation of the United Nations Human Rights Council into war crimes in Yemen.
In a vote called by Bahrain, the 47-member council rejected a Dutch-led decision to extend the mandate of the independent investigators by two years, the first time in the council’s 15-year history that a decision has been rejected.
The Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Dr. Youssef Abdul Karim Bucheery, said that Bahrain and the countries of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen in addition to the state. Those concerned with the draft resolution, A/HRC/48/L.1, were instrumental in establishing the United Nations Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts (GEE) on Yemen, based on the consensus resolution of the Human Rights Council in September 2017.
He stressed that based on the resolution, the coalition countries cooperated fully and transparently with the group of eminent experts, but unfortunately, the group of eminent experts misused its mandate and ignored the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution No. 2216, describing the Houthi militia leader as the leader of the Houthi militia. The “leader of the revolution” on the one hand, and the designation of the militias with the de facto authorities on the other hand, which completely contradicts the resolutions of the Security Council, as it legitimizes the coup in Yemen.
He added that the investigation team’s reports contributed significantly to deepening the gap between the Yemeni parties, and impeding the return of the legitimate government, by confusing international public opinion about the Yemeni crisis, and considering that the crisis began with the intervention of the Yemeni government. Alliance to save the legitimate government.
Ambassador Bucheery said that the delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain believes that the presence of two separate draft resolutions on Yemen in this session within two articles of different nature and subjects is unnatural and creates sharp polarization that contradicts the noble goal of assistance. Yemen is emerging from the crisis it has been experiencing since the Houthi militia coup against the legitimate government in 2014.
He emphasized that besides this decision, there is another decision under Article (1) related to providing technical assistance and capacity building to the Yemeni National Fact-Finding Committee in order to enhance its capabilities to fulfill its mandate in achieving accountability and justice in close cooperation. With the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner, as the most effective mechanism capable of implementing its mandate in terms of monitoring and addressing violations on the ground, given its accurate and broad knowledge of the complexities of the internal Yemeni political scene, as well as its ability to collect evidence, monitor and analyze violations in a realistic and professional manner, which is what Yemen needs and accept it.
He said that the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Yemen under Article (II) is inevitably controversial in this council, as this year’s draft resolution seeks to renew the mandate of the group of eminent international and regional experts for two consecutive years, which the legitimate Yemeni government has categorically rejected on several occasions. many.
He pointed out that the nucleus group’s insistence on supporting the draft resolution referred to in Article (Second) in ignoring the legitimate government demands of the concerned country is the imposition of more wills, a serious violation of Yemen’s national sovereignty, and clear politicization. to human rights issues, and in violation of the noble goals for which the Human Rights Council was established.
Ambassador Bucheery stressed that Yemen is an authentic Arab country that deserves to be dealt with in a more equitable and effective manner regarding the human rights situation, and for all these reasons, the delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain is requesting a vote on a draft law. A/HRC/48/L.11 and will vote against it, urging other states to vote against it as well.
On the other hand, Yemeni Minister of Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Ahmed Amman Arman, affirmed that the Human Rights Council’s refusal to extend the mandate of the international and regional expert group on Yemen was the first positive message to Yemenis regarding their position on the Yemen issue. Houthi militia.
The Yemeni minister said in a statement to the Emirati newspaper, Al-Bayan, that the Houthis considered, during the past three years, that the Human Rights Council’s vote to extend the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts is a green light for them to continue their crimes.
He added that they have always warned against bias and unprofessionalism, and since the Group of Eminent Experts is under the influence of the forces that support the Houthis and are trying to improve their image, and mislead international public opinion about the reality of the situation in Yemen, the vote today is rejected. Extending its mandate is considered a victory for the Yemenis in the face of the Iranian project.
Arman considered that today’s decision confirms the importance of the role of Yemeni national mechanisms and the need to give them a wider scope for action.
NS