The Yemeni government has urged the international community and the Human Rights Council to take a firm stance against the serious violations committed by the Houthi militias against civilians and humanitarian workers.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to continue economic and administrative reforms and strengthen the human rights framework.

In a speech delivered by Deputy Minister of Legal and Human Rights Mohammed Basurrah during the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Yemeni government stressed the urgent need for technical support, assistance, and capacity-building to enable state institutions to fulfill their human rights obligations and address escalating challenges.

The government also called for encouraging and supporting the National Commission for the Investigation of Alleged Violations of Human Rights (NCIAVHR) to continue its work independently and impartially.

Basurrah said the government was keen on enhancing cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and with member states of the Council, praising the efforts made in preparing the technical assistance report presented to the National Commission, which highlighted its success in carrying out its tasks.

The positive assessment in the report is a clear evidence of the importance of continuing to support the Commission and ensuring the sustainability of its effective work in monitoring violations and ensuring accountability, he told the Council.

Basurrah said the Yemeni government has launched a comprehensive reform process that places human rights at the forefront of national priorities. This is reflected in financial and administrative reforms, capacity-building of state institutions, improving citizens’ livelihoods, as well as submitting regular national reports and implementing their recommendations.

The government has also extended the mandate of the National Commission for another three years, reflecting the political leadership’s commitment to the path of justice and development to achieve peace.

Yet, the Houthi militias continue to refuse compliance, committing serious violations against civilians, including arbitrary arrests and kidnappings, targeting humanitarian workers and their families and storming offices of international organizations.

He also accused the militias of recruiting children and brainwashing them with extremist ideology, imposing discrimination against women and restricting their basic freedoms, alongside media repression, tightening control over the judiciary, and targeting human rights defenders.

Basurrah added that the Houthis have continued to impose illegal levies, issue death sentences against opponents of their sectarian ideology, escalate military actions, and obstruct the efforts of the UN envoy and international initiatives to reach a comprehensive and sustainable political solution.