266 Yemeni NGOs Urge International Accountability for Houthi Violations

Two hundred and sixty-six Yemeni civil society organizations have called upon the United Nations and the international community to intensify efforts to protect civilians in Yemen and strengthen accountability mechanisms for perpetrators of violations. The organizations warned that continued impunity exacerbates the suffering of the population and encourages the repetition of abuses.

In a joint statement, the organizations reported that local bodies have documented a wide range of violations, including killings, abductions, arbitrary detention, forced displacement, home demolitions, shelling of residential areas, and targeting of civilian, health, and educational facilities.

The statement emphasized that children are among the most affected groups due to ongoing violations, citing cases of child recruitment and their deployment to front lines. It called for special protection for children and the prevention of their exploitation in armed conflict.

The NGOs highlighted a ballistic missile attack on September 7 in the Ragwan district of Marib Governorate, which targeted a gathering of displaced persons. The attack resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to 15 civilians, including eight children. The incident also caused damage to 16 homes and three civilian vehicles.

The organizations also reported shelling of populated villages in Taiz Governorate and the targeting of the December 2 Hospital in Mokha city with a ballistic missile. They asserted that targeting civilian areas and facilities significantly increases the risks faced by the population and further deteriorates the humanitarian situation.

Regarding displacement, the statement indicated that approximately 2,183 families have been displaced from Taiz and Hodeidah governorates as of September 5. This includes 1,643 families, comprising 8,896 individuals, from Taiz, and 450 families from Hodeidah, according to data from the Executive Unit for the Management of Internally Displaced Persons Camps.

The organizations urged the United Nations and the Security Council to enhance protection mechanisms for civilians, children, and migrants, disclose the fate of abductees and those forcibly disappeared, and initiate investigations into the violations to ensure accountability for those responsible.

They also called for increased protection of international navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, given the risks to shipping traffic in the region. The statement underscored the necessity for any political or negotiation process concerning Yemen to include issues of civilian protection, victims' rights, and accountability as a fundamental component of any effort aimed at ending the conflict and achieving sustainable peace.