Security Council

6422^nd Meeting (PM)

Security Council Statement Welcomes 18 March Launch of Yemen’s National Dialogue,

Expresses Concern at Reports of Interference in Country’s Transition

 

The Security Council today welcomed the recent announcement by Yemen’s President of the launch of the National Dialogue Conference for 18 March, but expressed concern over reports of interference in the country’s transition by individuals of the former regime, the former opposition, and others, including the country’s former President and Vice-President, as well as over reports of money and weapons being brought in from outside to undermine the transition.

In a statement read out by Kim Sook of the Republic of Korea, whose delegation holds the Council’s rotating presidency for the month, the 15-member body said it was ready to consider further measures, including under Article 41 of the United Nations Charter, if actions aimed at undermining the Government of National Unity and the political transition continued.

In that connection, it urged all parties in Yemen to resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation, reject acts of violence to achieve political goals, refrain from provocations, and fully abide by its earlier resolutions, 2014 (2011) and 2051 (2012).

It emphasized the need for the National Dialogue Conference to involve the full participation of all segments of Yemeni society, including representatives from the South and other regions, as well as youth and women.  It called on all parties to honour the timetable and benchmarks set out in the transition agreement, and maintained its expectation that the Conference would lead to a constitutional referendum and elections by February 2014.

Further to the text, the Council urged the Yemeni Government to pass legislation on transitional justice to support reconciliation without further delay, and further urged the need to respect the rule of law and to protect human rights.  It welcomed the Government’s commitment to end the recruitment and use of children by the Yemeni security forces through the adoption and implementation of an action plan in line with resolution 1612 (2005).

The meeting began at 2:53 p.m. and was adjourned at 2:58 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2013/3 reads as follows:

“The Security Council welcomes President Hadi’s announcement of the launch of the National Dialogue Conference on 18 March and commends those that have engaged constructively in the preparatory stages of the process.  The Security Council also welcomes the issuance of a decree regarding the formation of the Executive Bureau for the Mutual Accountability Framework.

“The Security Council reiterates the need for the transitional period to be a Yemeni-led process, underpinned by a commitment to democracy, good governance, rule of law, national reconciliation and respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people in Yemen.

“The Security Council emphasizes the need for the National Dialogue Conference to be conducted in an inclusive manner involving the full participation of all segments of Yemeni society, including representatives from the South and other regions, and the full and effective participation of youth and women, as stipulated in the final report of the Preparatory Committee.  The Security Council calls upon all parties to honour the timetable and benchmarks set out in the transition agreement and for all sides to act in good faith, in a peaceful, transparent, constructive, and reconciliatory manner. The Security Council maintains its expectation that the National Dialogue Conference will lead to a constitutional referendum and elections by February 2014.

“The Security Council urges all the parties in Yemen to adhere to resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation, reject acts of violence to achieve political goals, refrain from provocations, and fully abide by resolutions 2014 (2011) and 2051 (2012).  The Security Council expresses concern over reports of interference in the transition by individuals in Yemen representing the former regime, the former opposition, and others who do not adhere to the guiding principles of the Implementation Mechanism Agreement for the transition process, including former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and former Vice-President Ali Salim Al-Beidh.  The Security Council reiterates its readiness to consider further measures, including under Article 41 of the UN Charter, if actions aimed at undermining the Government of National Unity and the political transition continue.

“The Security Council expresses concern over reports of money and weapons being brought into Yemen from outside for the purpose of undermining the transition.

“The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen.

“The Security Council urges the Yemeni Government to pass legislation on transitional justice to support reconciliation without further delay.  The Council further urges the need to respect rule of law and protect human rights, in accordance with Yemen’s international legal obligations, particularly those of women and people belonging to vulnerable groups, such as children.  The Security Council welcomes in this regard the commitment by the Government to end the recruitment and use of children by the Yemeni security forces through the adoption and implementation of an Action Plan in line with resolution 1612 (2005).

“The Security Council remains closely engaged on the situation in Yemen and will continue to closely follow the next steps towards a peaceful political transition.  In this regard it welcomes the continued and coordinated efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council, “Group of Ten Ambassadors”, the Secretary General’s good offices, including through the Special Adviser Jamal Benomar, the wider diplomatic community, and the next Friends of Yemen meeting that will take place on 7 March in London.  The Security Council underscores the need for continued international support for Yemen’s political transition, including through the fulfilment of commitments made by donors to support Yemen.”

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For information media • not an official record