Thank you Madam President,
We thank the High Commissioner for her timely update on the human rights situation in Yemen.
• Norway shares the concern of the Deputy High Commissioner. We are deeply concerned over the latest reports on the human rights situation in Yemen, characterized by comprehensive acts violence against thousands of civilians. Peaceful protests are met with excessive and disproportionate use of lethal force by the state, leading to hundreds being killed and thousands suffered injuries in an increasingly violent power struggle. We also note the reports reference to credible allegations of serious human rights violations committed by the Government security forces, including killing of civilians, arbitrary detention and torture.
• The report of children being subjected to the same extreme violence as adults and signs of the use and recruitment of children by the Government in security activities is of particular concern to us.
• Norway call on the authorities of Yemen to protect peaceful protesters, refrain from brutal violence and bring those responsible for the violence, to justice.
• Norway believes that a peaceful political transition is extremely urgent under the present conditions. We therefore support the intention that the ruling party and the opposition reach an agreement about elections, a government of national unity and security arrangements that will provide stability all over the country
• Madam President, the world community is obliged to act and take responsibility in order to improve the human rights situation in Yemen. In the present unstable and complex situation Norway is of the opinion that UN should play the most important role. We therefore support the conclusion of the UN HR assessment mission to Yemen on the need for international, independent and impartial investigations.