Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 March 2021
114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which the attention of the international community has been drawn to the atrocities taking place in Yemen; the actions taken or pending to bring the perpetrators to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12457/21]
View answerYemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Over six years of conflict have left over 24 million in need of humanitarian assistance.
Ireland is deeply concerned at the ongoing conduct of this conflict. I spoke this morning with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, about the situation. There have been numerous reports of acts which are contrary to international law, including damage and destruction to civilian infrastructure, targeting of journalists, mistreatment of prisoners, the recruitment of child soldiers, and conflict-related sexual violence.
International humanitarian law is clear; parties to a conflict are obliged to do everything possible to protect civilians. Ireland has consistently called on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
At the UN Human Rights Council in 2017, Ireland was part of a core group of countries that drove forward the adoption of a Resolution establishing a UN Group of Eminent Experts (GEE) to carry out investigations into alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict in Yemen. The most recent report of the GEE highlights a consistent record of violations of IHL and human rights law.
On 25 February 2021, Ireland supported Resolution 2564 at the UN Security Council which reaffirmed the need to ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights in Yemen.
Ireland supports all efforts towards a sustained end to the conflict in Yemen. We call on all parties to the conflict to enact an immediate cessation of hostilities, and engage seriously in the UN led political process.
