The Yemen human rights crisis which escalated over years arose from conflict involving domestic and international forces. Since 2014 the war raged, while the Yemeni people faced dire consequences. War crimes, including attacks on civilians, forced displacement, and children recruited by armed groups, made the situation catastrophic.
A blockade exacerbated the suffering by impeding the flow of essential goods.
- Food,
- medicine, and
- fuel.
This pushed millions into severe food insecurity and restricted the delivery of humanitarian aid.
International stakeholders took an interest in the crisis, and coalitions intervened to influence the outcome. Despite calls for peace and an end to human rights abuses, progress has been painstakingly slow, while the country continued to suffer. In 2021, the United Nations estimated that nearly a quarter of a million people lost their lives.
Acute levels of hunger and deprivation has led to the displacement of millions. All this has made Yemen one of the countries with the worst human rights record.
- Key takeaways
- Widespread human rights violations in the Yemen conflict.
- Yemenis faced acute levels of food insecurity, in part due to blockades.
- International intervention did not halt the crisis as the suffering continued.
Historical Context of Yemen Human Rights Crisis
Yemen’s complex history of political unrest and armed conflict has had a negative impact on the human rights crisis. The 2011 Arab Spring led to an uprising against the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who stepped down in 2012. His successor, President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, struggled to keep control as extremist groups, took advantage of the political vacuum. This included the Houthi rebels and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
Houti Rebels Capture Sanaa (2014)
In 2014, Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, captured the Yemeni capital city of Sanaa, forcing President Hadi to flee. This event escalated into a full-blown conflict, with a Saudi-led coalition, supported by the United Arab Emirates. Western powers intervened in 2015 to restore the internationally recognised Yemeni government. The resulting conflict led to widespread human rights abuses and a devastating humanitarian crisis.
Legal Violations
All parties involved in the conflict have committed violations of international humanitarian law. This includes unlawful attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, indiscriminate use of force, and the blockading of essential humanitarian aid. According to the Human Rights Watch Report 2023, the Saudi and UAE-led coalition was implicated in apparent war crimes. This caused many civilian casualties.
Acute Humanitarian Crisis
Aside from the direct impact on human rights, Yemen has experienced one of the world’s most acute humanitarian crises. The United Nations called the situation in Yemen “the worst human crisis in the world”. More than 20 million Yemenis were in dire need of humanitarian assistance, with millions displaced from their homes. The conflict led to outbreaks of deadly diseases, further exacerbating the suffering of the Yemeni people.
Takeaway
The human rights crisis in Yemen is an outcome of protracted internal political struggles, exacerbated by regional and international actors. The conflict not only resulted in rampant human rights abuses but also a severe humanitarian crisis .
Violations of Human Rights
Torture
The Saudi-led coalition and Houthi forces, are known to have administered cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of detainees. There have been other reported instances of torture. These acts not only violated basic human rights but hindered humanitarian aid efforts in the region. The United States human rights report highlights examples of abuse, conveying the severity of the issue.
Arbitrary Detention
The Yemeni crisis has witnessed numerous reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions. Armed groups detain people without charges, legal representation, or fair trial, violating their rights to justice and liberty. Human Rights Watch Report 2023 draws attention to these transgressions in the context of the conflict.
Sexual Violence
Civilians in Yemen are at risk of experiencing sexual violence as a repercussion of the ongoing hostilities. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to such violations, perpetrated by both the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi forces. The precarious situation prevents victims from seeking help and has lasting physical, psychological, and social consequences.
Coalition Involvement
The conflict in Yemen has led to significant human rights violations. A key player in this crisis is the coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Saudi-led coalition consists of several countries. They include Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Senegal, Sudan, and the UAE. All actively engaging in military operations in Yemen.
The coalition’s involvement has resulted in numerous civilian casualties due to indiscriminate and disproportionate airstrikes. According to Human Rights Watch, over 18,400 civilians have been killed or injured in this conflict. In some cases, the coalition has targeted civilian objects, such as residential areas and civilian infrastructure. This is in violation of the laws of war, thereby constituting war crimes.
Blockades of key ports and airports imposed by the coalition led to severe food and medical supply shortages. These actions escalated the already dire situation in Yemen. The United Nations reported that Yemen was facing the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.
The United States historically provided support to the Saudi-led coalition, including intelligence assistance, logistical support, and arms sales. However, this support has been criticised by human rights organisations and some members of the U.S. Congress, who have raised concerns about potential violations of international law.
Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have faced scrutiny for their actions within the conflict. There have been calls for investigations into their conduct, and demands for increased accountability regarding human rights abuses in Yemen. Although the Saudi-led coalition has admitted to errors in targeting, there has been a lack of transparency and accountability. This lack of accountability is particularly concerning given the severe humanitarian consequences of the conflict.
Takeaway
The Saudi-led coalition’s involvement in Yemen has been marked by widespread human rights violations. Plus indiscriminate attacks on civilians, and a significant contribution to the humanitarian crisis. Increased international pressure for accountability and transparency is required to help address these issues and protect the civilian population in Yemen.
Role and Impact of Houthi Forces
The Houthi forces, also known as the Houthi armed group, have played a significant role in the Yemen human rights crisis. Their actions have contributed to the widespread suffering of civilians by conducting unlawful attacks and suppressing vital information regarding public safety.
Since the conflict began, the Houthi forces have been responsible for numerous violations of the laws of war. These violations may amount to war crimes according to Human Rights Watch. Some notable examples of unlawful attacks include targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, leading to the deaths and injuries of thousands of innocent people.
In addition to these violations, the Houthi authorities have been known to restrict freedom of movement within Yemen. This has made humanitarian access to vital resources and aid difficult for the affected populations as noted in the World Report 2023. This restriction not only exacerbates the living conditions for millions of Yemenis but also hinders the international community’s efforts to provide much-needed assistance.
Houthi forces have also negatively impacted the transparency of public health information in Yemen. For instance, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Houthi authorities suppressed essential information about the virus and its impact on the population as reported by the Human Rights Watch in June 2021. This misinformation campaign has put vulnerable communities at further risk, exacerbating the health crisis.
It is essential to recognise the ongoing role and impact of the Houthi forces within the context of the Yemen human rights crisis. Their actions have directly contributed to the deterioration of living conditions, the hindrance of humanitarian relief, and the stifling of critical public health information. Understanding these consequences is crucial in developing strategies aimed at alleviating the challenges faced by the people of Yemen.
The Humanitarian Crisis
Impact on Hospitals and Schools
The Yemen human rights crisis has severely impacted its health and education sectors. The conflict has left many hospitals and schools damaged or destroyed, limiting access to essential services for the affected population. As a result, millions struggle to find proper healthcare and education.
The lack of humanitarian aid exacerbated the severity of the situation. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that two-thirds of Yemen’s population – over 20 million people – are experiencing food insecurity and are in dire need of assistance. Accessing vulnerable communities humanitarian agencies face obstacles that worsen the crisis.
Unexploded Landmines
Another grave issue facing Yemen is the widespread use of landmines, which pose a significant threat to civilians. Planted by various parties in the conflict, these unexploded landmines have resulted in numerous casualties and injuries among innocent civilians. The presence of landmines in many regions has impeded humanitarian access and further intensified the crisis.
Obstructing efforts to clear landmines have made it difficult for authorities and humanitarian organisations to address this pressing issue. Therefore, the people of Yemen have had to bear the burden of a severe humanitarian crisis that affects their daily lives, including access to the necessities of life.
The Effect of the Crisis on Children
The crisis has significantly impacted the well-being and daily lives of children in Yemen. As a direct consequence of the conflict thousands of children have been killed or maimed. Countless others have had to endure the mental and emotional trauma that has become pervasive throughout their communities.
Violation of children has become all too common. Both sides of this conflict have committed serious breaches of international human rights law. The recruitment of children into the fighting perpetuated the cycle of violence.
The conflict adversely affected the education system in Yemen. Schools were destroyed, damaged, or used as military bases and makeshift shelters. This resulted in many children being left without access to education. In addition, the disruption of essential infrastructure has made it difficult for teachers and students to safely attend schools that remain operational.
The psychological impact of the crisis on Yemeni children cannot be understated. A significant number of children are now struggling with depression or have become desensitised to violence and loss because of the conflict. The resulting mental health and psychosocial problems can have severe long-term consequences for their future as productive individuals and can perpetuate the cycle of violence and instability in the country.
Takeaway
The Yemen human rights crisis has taken a devastating toll on the country’s most vulnerable population: the children. With their education, physical safety, and mental well-being under constant threat, it is vital that the international community takes decisive action to help them and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen.
International Response and Intervention
The Yemen human rights crisis has been a matter of great concern for the international community, and various entities have played important roles in addressing the situation. The United Nations has been at the forefront of the humanitarian response, acknowledging Yemen as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Years of conflict have killed over 50,000 people, destroyed the economy, and significantly damaged vital infrastructure.
The UN Human Rights Council has been active in monitoring and reporting on human rights violations in Yemen. They have been instrumental in conducting investigations and holding parties accountable for their actions in the ongoing conflict. The Council has also called upon all parties involved to respect the rules of international humanitarian law and to take steps to protect civilians from the impacts of the conflict.
The United States and the United Kingdom have both been involved in the international response to the Yemen crisis. The US has provided substantial humanitarian aid and technical support in areas such as healthcare, water, sanitation, and disaster risk reduction. The United Kingdom has also been a key contributor to the humanitarian response, providing funding and support for initiatives focused on food security, nutrition, and emergency healthcare.
In addition to humanitarian aid, these countries have played roles in diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict. The United Nations has facilitated peace talks and ceasefire discussions among the warring parties, with the support of various member states. The US and UK have participated in these initiatives, encouraging negotiations, and calling for a political solution to the crisis.
Takeaway
The international response to the Yemen human rights crisis has been multifaceted, involving humanitarian assistance, advocacy, and diplomatic efforts by a range of entities, including the UN Human Rights Council, United Nations, United States, and United Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main causes of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen?
The armed conflict that began in 2014 is the primary factor that led to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The conflict has involved a number of factions, including the Yemeni government, Houthi armed groups, and a Saudi-led coalition, which has led to widespread violence, displacement, and a breakdown of public services. In addition, the blockade imposed by the coalition exacerbated the situation, leading to shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, contributing to what is considered the World’s largest humanitarian crisis.
How has the war in Yemen impacted the country’s human rights situation?
The war in Yemen has had a devastating impact on the country’s human rights situation. Unlawful attacks on civilians, including airstrikes and indiscriminate shelling, have led to deaths and injuries. In addition to physical violence, the population also faces increased poverty, food insecurity, and lack of access to necessities such as clean water and healthcare. Children are particularly vulnerable, as they are exposed to violence, malnutrition, and disrupted education.
What has been the international response to the Yemeni human rights crisis?
The international response to the Yemeni human rights crisis has been varied. Some countries provided humanitarian aid, while others have taken diplomatic steps to encourage a resolution to the conflict. The United Nations has called for a ceasefire, facilitated peace talks, and established a Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen to investigate human rights violations. However, the continued sale of arms and military assistance to the conflict by some nations has been criticised as exacerbating the crisis.
Which organisations are providing aid to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen?
International organisations are working to provide aid and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. These include the United Nations (UN) and its agencies, such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as non-governmental organisations like World Vision and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). These organisations work to deliver food, medical supplies, and other essential items to those in need, sometimes operating under dangerous and challenging conditions.
How has the death toll in Yemen been affected by the ongoing conflict?
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has resulted in a significant death toll. Over 18,400 civilians have been killed or injured due to the violence, according to a Human Rights Watch Report. However, this number does not account for the additional deaths caused by malnutrition, disease, and lack of access to healthcare—the true human cost of the crisis is much higher.
What can be done to improve the human rights situation in Yemen?
Improving the human rights situation in Yemen requires immediate and sustained action by various stakeholders. A cessation of hostilities and the commitment to a political resolution of the conflict is necessary to promote stability and protect civilians. International actors should continue to pressure the parties involved to cease violence, respect international humanitarian law, and engage in peace talks. Increased humanitarian assistance and the lifting of blockades to allow for the delivery of aid are essential steps in mitigating the suffering of the Yemeni population.
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