UN seeks international probe into Yemen civil war

The UN human rights chief has called for an international investigation of rights abuses and violence in Yemen's civil war, which has killed thousands of people, as he insisted that a domestic panel set up to look into violations has not been up to the task.

US Secretary of State John Kerry meeting with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz in Jeddah. Picture: AFP/Getty Images

The call from Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein came as his Geneva office released a 22-page report chronicling abuses on both sides in the conflict, which pits the internationally recognised Yemeni government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, against Shiite rebels known as Houthis and their allies.

In a statement, Zeid’s office said he “called on the international community to establish an international, independent body to carry out comprehensive investigations in Yemen,” noting in particularly “challenges” faced by the national panel set up under President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi – notably, security concerns.

Mohammad Ali Alnsour, who heads the Middle East and North Africa section of the UN Human Rights office, said a recent report by the national panel focused on alleged violations by the Houthis, and said a “more objective, more comprehensive” report of rights violations by all sides was needed. “Unfortunately, the humanitarian situation in Yemen is very bad,” he said.

Zeid, a member of the Jordanian royal family, did not specify who would set up the international body, but he is expected to present the report’s findings to the UN Human Rights Council at its session next month. Last year, the council passed a resolution, brought by Saudi Arabia and allies, that deferred to national investigators to report on rights abuses.

Fighting in Yemen escalated in March 2015 with the start of Saudi-led airstrikes targeting the Houthis. Zeid’s office says an estimated 3,799 civilians have been killed since then. The UN estimate at least 9,000 people have died overall. Some three million people have also been displaced.

Yesterday’s report denounced the recruitment of child fighters in Yemen, civilian casualties linked to suspected US drone strikes that target al-Qaida’s local branch, attacks on human rights defenders and a crackdown on freedom of expression.