United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon denounced the Yemeni government’s decision to expel the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, saying he is concerned about the safety of the rest of the UN’s Yemeni and international employees.
In press statement Ban said: “The people of Yemen have suffered grave human rights violations.”
The UN official denounced the expulsion of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from the country, saying he feels “extremely concerned about the safety of the remaining national and international staff.”
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“OHCHR is actively and effectively helping to document these violations and promote and protect their rights, while strengthening justice and accountability. Respect for human rights is absolutely essential for long-term peace and stability,” the statement added.
He urged the Yemeni government to reconsider its decision, stressing that UN staff shouldn’t be threatened or punished for doing their work, which is essentially based on the UN Charter.
A Yemeni official said earlier yesterday that the country’s foreign ministry informed the UN commission’s office that its envoy is a persona non grata who lacks impartiality and professionalism.
Yemen’s official Saba news agency reported that the official described the government’s step as “necessary” and accused the commission of issuing unfair statements and turning a blind eye to violations committed by the Houthi militias and the forces affiliated with former president Ali Abdallah Saleh.
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