14 April 2015
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
Ravina Shamdasani
Location:
Geneva
Subjects: (1)
Yemen
(2)
Mali
(1) Yemen
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al
Hussein today issued a call to all sides to the conflict in Yemen to ensure
that attacks resulting in civilian casualties are promptly investigated and
that international human rights and international humanitarian law are
scrupulously respected during the conduct of hostilities in the country.
In addition to hundreds of fighters, at least 364 civilians
are reported to have lost their lives since March 26, including at least 84
children and 25 women. Another 681 civilians – possibly more – have been
injured. Dozens of public buildings, including hospitals, schools, airports and
mosques have been destroyed in airstrikes, through shelling and other attacks.
High Commissioner Zeid urged all sides to negotiate a swift
end to the bloodshed and devastation in Yemen. The full press release is
available in English on http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15836&LangID=E and in French on http://www.ohchr.org/FR/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15836&LangID=F.
(2) Mali
We are deeply disturbed at the series of violent attacks
that have occurred in the Gao and Kidal regions of northern Mali, making an
already precarious security situation more volatile. We also deplore the
continued targeting of UN personnel and humanitarian workers in the country.
The increasing use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
and mines is very worrying. Mostly recently, on April 6, two peacekeepers were
injured when a vehicle of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization
Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) escorting a supply convoy hit an IED in Kidal. Last
Friday, April 10, a civilian vehicle hit a mine or IED near Almoustarat in the
Gao Region, seriously injuring two people. Also, on April 5, four rockets
struck the town of Gao, causing the death of one woman and wounding three
others, including a four-year-old boy.
Last Saturday, April 11, two MINUSMA national staff members
were assaulted in Kidal town by three unidentified armed men. On 30 March, a
group of armed men conducted a targeted attack against an International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) vehicle in Gao, resulting in the death of one
staff.
Since its establishment in 2013, MINUSMA has been attacked
more than 60 times, causing more than 35 peacekeepers to be killed and a total
of more than 200 casualties.
We urge all parties to the conflict in Mali to ensure the
protection of civilians, including UN personnel and humanitarian workers. We
also call on Government security forces to ensure that counter-terrorism
operations are conducted in line with international human rights standards, and
to avoid the excessive use of force, so as not to stoke further tensions and
resentment among local inhabitants.
We are following up closely with the Malian authorities on
allegations of human rights violations and abuses which may have been committed
during such operations. It is particularly important during the ongoing peace
process for action to be taken to ensure that any human rights violations or
abuses are promptly investigated and perpetrators brought to justice. For peace
to be secured and sustainable, there must be no impunity for any acts of
violence, regardless of the perpetrators.
ENDS
For more information, please contact Ravina Shamdasani (+41
22 917 9169 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org) or Cécile
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