UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, condemned the killing of unarmed civilians by the Yemeni government and asserted the government's obligation to protect the economic, social and cultural rights of all Yemenis.
Calling on the government to grant immediate access to UN staff to enable an independent assessment of the human rights situation on the ground, Pillay reiterated that violations must be made public via an independent investigation.
Speaking in Geneva on Tuesday, she said,
“Unarmed civilians, including very young children, have been shot and left dead or with serious injuries,”
“It is appalling and extremely disappointing that despite the successive deals and ceasefires, Government security forces continue to use live ammunition against unarmed protestors.”
“Violence is certainly not the way to resolve the current difficulties Yemen is facing, as clearly demonstrated by the events of the past year.”
“The Government must immediately ensure that lethal force and heavy weapons are not used against peaceful demonstrators."
"Human rights violations in Taiz must be independently investigated, the results of the investigation must be made public, and those responsible must be brought to justice without delay.”
