Security Council Press Statement on Situation in Yemen
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Rafael Darío Ramírez Carreño (Venezuela):
On 16 February 2016, the Security Council was briefed by the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Stephen O’Brien, on the situation in Yemen. Members of the Council received a further briefing on the situation in Yemen from the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, on 17 February. The members of the Security Council were also briefed on 17 February by Motohide Yoshikawa, Chair of the United Nations Sanctions Committee on Yemen.
The members of the Security Council recalled Security Council resolutions 2014 (2011), 2051 (2012), 2140 (2014), 2201 (2015) and 2216 (2215), emphasizing the need for a peaceful, orderly, inclusive and Yemeni-led transition process. The members of the Security Council reiterated their demand for the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, and reiterated their call from resolution 2216 (2015) on all Yemeni parties to resume and accelerate United Nations-brokered inclusive political consultations.
The members of the Security Council expressed serious concern at the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, which in terms of numbers of people in need is the largest in the world. The members of the Security Council underlined their full support to humanitarian workers delivering aid in very difficult conditions across Yemen. The members of the Security Council expressed concern at all reports of obstruction of the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Yemen. The members of the Security Council welcomed the establishment of the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism and called upon all States to adhere to its provisions.
The members of the Security Council urged all parties to fulfil their commitments to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, including measures to further ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. The members of the Security Council further underlined the importance of the delivery of commercial goods and fuel for civilian purposes to all parts of Yemen. The members of the Security Council called upon all sides to comply with international humanitarian law, including to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects, to end the recruitment and use of children in violation of applicable international law, and to work urgently with the United Nations and humanitarian aid organizations to bring assistance to those in need throughout the country.
The members of the Security Council urged all parties to the conflict in Yemen to take urgent steps towards resuming a ceasefire. The members of the Security Council emphasized that cessation of hostilities and compliance with related Security Council resolutions should lead to a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. The members of the Security Council further emphasized the importance of establishing fully the “De-escalation and Coordination Committee”.
The members of the Security Council urged the Yemeni parties to fulfil their commitments made during the last round of talks between 15 and 20 December 2015, and further urged the parties to participate in a new round of talks, building on the progress that has been achieved so far on ending the conflict.
The members of the Security Council expressed their grave concern at the increasing presence of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or Da’esh in Yemen.
The members of the Security Council called on all Yemeni parties to engage in political talks without preconditions and in good faith, including by resolving their differences through dialogue and consultations in accordance with the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference and relevant Security Council resolutions. The members of the Security Council underlined their strong support for the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, in facilitating these talks.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen.