EU ‘concerned’ by human rights violations in Yemen

The European Union has expressed “grave concern” about the extent of human rights violations in Yemen, calling on “all parties” to the conflict to respect these rights in all circumstances, Anadolu has reported.

“The scale of human rights violations in Yemen is a source of great concern to the European Union,” said Deputy Head of the EU Mission to Yemen, Marion Lallis, on Twitter. She explained that the war in Yemen has led to an increase in violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

“These rights cannot be bartered… and must be respected by all parties in all circumstances and at all times,” she insisted. Moreover, “The European Union is fully convinced that there is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen and that the Yemenis need to come together and agree on a comprehensive political settlement to the conflict.”

The war in Yemen has been raging for more than seven years between forces loyal to the Saudi-backed government and the Houthis backed by Iran. The UN puts the number of those killed as at the end of last year at 377,000. The majority of the 30 million Yemenis in the country are now said to be dependent on humanitarian aid.

READ: Dozens of children killed, injured in Yemen: UNICEF