United Nations report on Yemen lacks 'objectivity'

Abu Dhabi - The report lacks balance by stating facts against one party and disregarding infringements committed by other parties.

The United Nations report released last week by the Group of International and Regional Eminent Experts on Yemen 'lacked objectivity and neutrality," a symposium held in Abu Dhabi heard on Sunday.
The participants of the symposium, hosted by the Journalists Association of the UAE in Abu Dhabi, urged the UN Human Rights Council to rectify the fallacies and prejudices included in the report, in conformity with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and other international conventions, particularly with regards to the right designation of warring parties in Yemen.
Mohammad Al Hammadi, chairman of the association, said: "We are here not to respond to the recent report prepared by a panel of experts on Yemen, but we are working to clarify its shortcomings so that no party could be affected and feel injustice. We are in need to support Yemen truly by restoring its legitimacy and prevailing peace all over its corners."
Majd Shammoot, head of the Arab Committee for Human Rights at the Arab League, said that media plays a great role in shaping people's convictions and changing them, and 'our region has witnessed a destructive media recently.'
The report could serve as 'lacing food with poison'. It is a political report than being a technical one, added Shammoot.
The report, he added, lacks balance by stating facts against one party and disregarding infringements committed by other parties. This would make fabrication and concocting of facts possible, he added.
The report stated facts, which contradict what really happen on ground in Yemen such as infringements being committed by the rebellious Houthis militias.
Nabil Abdulhafeez, undersecretary of the Yemeni Ministry of Human Rights, said the Houthi militia had violated human rights in Yemen even before the coup.
He said that "the crimes committed by the Houthis in Aden prove that they violated all human rights, and people of Yemen adhere to the Arab coalition, which we asked to help Yemen and its legitimate government."
He also alleged the UN experts were politically biased when they called Abdul-Malik Al Houthi, the leader of revolution.
Following the meeting, the participants issued a statement, addressing Secretary-General of the United Nations, President and members of the Human Rights Council, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Yemen, Secretary-General of League of Arab States, and Secretary General of Gulf Cooperation Council.
Several international human rights activists, representatives of civil society groups, non-governmental organisations, and experts on international humanitarian law and international law attended the meeting.
malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com
(With inputs from Wam)

• Abu Dhabi
• MENA