Geneva Institute for Human Rights

A report published September 13 by a UN human rights assessment mission to Yemen called for immediate action to protect civilians, respect the right to peaceful demonstration, and address the “deteriorating humanitarian situation” in the country.

The report by the UN human rights office also stressed the need for “international, independent and impartial investigations” into allegations of human rights abuses related to the peaceful protest movement in Yemen since the beginning of this year.

A delegation from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights visited Aden, Sana’a and Ta’izz between June 28 and July 6, 2011. The team met key officials, including the Vice-President, leaders of political parties and members of Parliament as well as NGO representatives, lawyers, journalists, doctors, human rights defenders, victims of violations and their relatives.

“The Mission observed an overall situation where many Yemenis peacefully calling for greater freedoms, an end to corruption and respect for rule of law were met with excessive and disproportionate use of lethal force by the state,” the report concluded. In a number of instances, security forces also prevented wounded demonstrators from accessing hospitals or turned away doctors or ambulances.

The assessment team witnessed the deployment of tanks in Ta’izz and shelling of the city at night. It also observed signs of collective punishment, causing severe hardship to the civilian population, including disruption of access to electricity, fuel and water. Armed opponents claiming to protect the civilian population may also be guilty of using and abusing peaceful protesters, the report said.