Barran Press
Rights Radar, a human rights organization based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, issued a call on Saturday, June 29th, for the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by the international community, to end the ongoing war, which is nearing its tenth year, and embrace peace, placing the nation's best interests above all else.
In its annual report on violations committed in Yemen during 2023, shared with Bran Press, Rights Radar urged the Houthis to seize the opportunity presented by the international community's desire for lasting peace in Yemen as a gateway to achieving the anticipated peace.
The organization stated that this requires an immediate cessation of violations and breaches, a halt to military escalation, and engagement in a political transition process based on justice, equality, and partnership with other parties, leading to a civil state that safeguards the rights of all.
Rights Radar also called on the legitimate government to engage with the Arab coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, and the international community to fulfill their moral responsibilities towards the ongoing economic collapse and the resulting humanitarian and living crises.
Furthermore, it urged the government to uphold national legislation and international conventions related to the protection of civilians, shielding them from the ravages of war, and to assume its legal and constitutional responsibility for the humanitarian and living crisis, taking all necessary measures to halt the economic collapse.
The organization urged the Southern Transitional Council to cease any military escalation in the southern governorates, regardless of the justification, due to its impact on the lives, security, and stability of civilians. It called on the Council to abide by local and international laws and regulations concerning the protection of human rights and to halt violations against civilians, irrespective of their regional or political affiliations.
Rights Radar also called on the Houthi group to end its systematic policy of disseminating hate speech and racism, and inciting violence for sectarian and vengeful motives. The organization stated that this policy has significantly contributed to an unprecedented rise in domestic violence in areas under Houthi control, due to the influence of returning fighters or those who have participated in training courses.
The organization demanded that the Houthis comply with the following:
Rights Radar also called on the United Nations, its agencies, and its missions to be transparent regarding information provided on the planning of UN programs supporting displaced persons, particularly women and children, including their implementation methods, monitoring mechanisms, evaluation of results, and funding pathways.
In its report, Rights Radar documented 4,141 violations in Yemen during 2023, including the deaths of 778 individuals, among them 150 children, 51 women, and 80 elderly people.
The report added that the violations also included the abduction of 647 civilians, including 70 children, 9 women, and 38 elderly people, as well as 84 cases of enforced disappearance, including 12 children, 8 women, and 6 elderly people. Additionally, 118 individuals were subjected to torture, including 6 children, 2 women, and 12 elderly people.
Regarding legal responsibility for these violations, the organization clarified that the Houthi group topped the list of parties most responsible for human rights violations during 2023, with a total of 3,196 incidents, resulting in the deaths of 475 civilians, including 113 children, 42 women, and 52 elderly people.