UN urges justice as more deaths are reported in Yemen

2011-10-19 22:11:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) has again strongly condemned the reported killings of a large number of peaceful anti-government protesters in Yemen in recent days. Hundreds of people have been killed since the uprising began.

Since Saturday, hundreds of people have reportedly been injured by the alleged disproportionate use of force by Yemeni security forces against unarmed protesters in the capital Sana'a and in Taiz, as violent clashes continue between supporters and opponents of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The UN human rights office urged those responsible for these deaths be brought to justice.

Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), expressed extreme concern that security forces continue to use excessive force "in a climate of complete impunity for crimes resulting in heavy loss of life and injury, despite repeated pledges by the Government to the contrary."

Colville underlined that more than eight months ago the protest movement began in Yemen, and those responsible for the hundreds of killings since must be prosecuted regardless of rank or title. He also reiterated OHCHR's call for an international, independent and transparent investigation.

In addition, the OHCHR spokesperson also called on the Government's armed opponents to remove weapons from public spaces used by peaceful protesters, and to stop launching armed attacks from densely populated areas.

Meanwhile, the living conditions for residents of Sana'a and Taiz have continued to worsen, the UN human rights office said, as the situation has hit the poorest households the most.

Yemen is one of a handful of countries across North Africa and the Middle East where large numbers of civilians have risen up this year to call for greater democracy and freedoms. But many people have died during clashes and protests and UN officials have repeatedly warned about the humanitarian and human rights situation.

The violence continues despite international efforts to promote a peaceful political transition. Last week Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Adviser on Yemen, Jamal Benomar, reported that the security situation has deteriorated "very dramatically," with five or six provinces now out of Government control and Sana'a divided between rival forces.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-10-19

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