Strengthening the work of the Security Council on sexual and gender-based violence in conflict: the

strategic use of evidence from UN investigations

It is now just over a month since the expiry of a UN-mediated truce in Yemen that started on 2 April, and
we are gravely concerned for the safety and security of civilians. There has been reported loss of life and
injuries resulting from sniper attacks and shelling, as well as an attack on a port facility that put the lives
of civilians at serious risk.

The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, echoes the calls of the Secretary-General to extend the truce
and to work toward a negotiated settlement to bring this protracted and terrible conflict to an end once
and for all.

The outbreak of war over seven years ago plunged Yemen into an unparalleled humanitarian crisis. The
truce agreement on 2 March, however, had brought relative calm - there was a sharp reduction in
civilian casualties, the flow of fuel deliveries to Hudaydah increased, and Sanaa airport reopened after
years of closure to commercial flights. Despite these positive developments, the reopening of roads to
relieve the population of Ta’iz from years of what is effectively a siege did not materialize. Sadly, and
worryingly, the truce expired on 2 October without the parties reaching an agreement to extend it.

In the last week of October, the UN Human Rights Office verified three incidents of shelling in
government-controlled territory that claimed the lives of a boy and a man, and wounded four boys,
including two who required leg amputations. Our Office also verified three incidents of sniper shootings
attributed to Ansar Allah forces, injuring a boy, a woman and two men. On 21 October, Ansar Allah also
conducted a drone attack on Al Dhabah oil terminal port in Hadramaut Governorate that exposed
civilians to unwarranted, serious risk.

We remind all parties to the conflict that they must strictly adhere to the principles of international
humanitarian law in the conduct of military operations and to do their utmost to absolutely limit the
impact of those military operations on civilians. Parties to the conflict have strict obligations to facilitate
the access of humanitarian relief organisations to populations in need and to facilitate civilian access to
humanitarian and life-saving services. Furthermore, the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian
objects is prohibited by international law and constitutes a war crime. Any such attacks must
immediately cease, and the relevant authorities should investigate such incidents and hold those
responsible to account.
It is clearly evident that the suffering of the Yemeni people will continue until this conflict is brought to
an end. We therefore reiterate the calls of the UN Secretary-General who has said it is time for
Government forces and their allies, together with Ansar Allah forces and their international backers, to
“choose peace for good”.