UN Child Rights Envoy Urges End to ‘Grave Violations’ against Children in Yemen
Alarmed by the dramatic increase in grave violations against Yemen’s children, the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict has called on all parties to respect their obligations under international law to safeguard civilians from harm, including children.
Reflecting on conflict-affected countries in the Middle East, Leila Zerrougui said in a statement issued on 24 August 2015 that Yemen has become “another stark example of how conflict in the region risks creating a lost generation of children, who are physically and psychologically scarred by their experiences, deprived of educational opportunities, and who face an uncertain future.”
After the conflict escalated in late March, at least 402 children had been killed, and more than 606 injured.
According to a United Nations analysis, in comparison to the first quarter of the year, the number of children killed and injured more than tripled during the period of 1 April to 30 June – some 73 per cent of which were attributed to airstrikes.
“Children are paying an unacceptable price, and the ever mounting death toll tragically underscores the need for urgent action to protect them and other civilians,” said the Special Representative.
Zerrougui said she is appalled by the heavy civilian casualties in Taiz, where reportedly 34 children were killed and 12 injured over the past three days.
On 21 August, Saudi-led coalition airstrikes slaughtered 65 civilians – including at least 17 children while another 17 were killed and 12 wounded during repeated shelling in residential areas by Al-Houthi fighters.
“Parties to conflict must abide by their international legal obligations to distinguish between civilian and military objects, and take precautions to avoid and minimize civilian casualties,” she stressed.
Faisal, 18 months old is treated for severe acute malnutrition at Sabeen hospital in Yemen’s capital Sana’a. | Photo: UNICEF/UMI191723/Yasin
The Special Representative also deplored the number of attacks on schools and education personnel, and the devastating impact on children’s right to education.
“As the start of a new school year approaches, the conflict is severely curtailing children’s access to education,” Zerrougui said.
UNICEF has reported that since end-March, 114 schools were destroyed and 315 partially damaged – with an additional 360 serving to shelter displaced families. Furthermore, some 3,600 schools will not reopen due to insecurity – interrupting education access for an estimated 1.8 million children.
Heightened conflict in Yemen has also had a detrimental impact on ongoing UN efforts to strengthen children protections. In May 2014, the Government had signed an Action Plan with the UN to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children by Government forces.
However, implementation of the Action Plan has stalled since September 2014. At the same time, there are indications that the recruitment and use of children by all parties present on the ground has dramatically increased this year.
Noting that Yemen is one of the seven countries participating in the global Children Not Soldiers campaign to prevent and end child recruitment for soldiers by end-2016, Ms. Zerrougui concluded: “The situation is untenable for children and their families in Yemen – all parties to the conflict must respect their obligations, and put an end to grave violations against children.” (Source: UN).
Read also:
Eight Children Killed or Maimed Every Day in ‘Brutal’ Yemen Conflict
‘Incomprehensible’ Scale of Human Suffering in Yemen
‘Deliberate Starvation of Civilians’ in Yemen – UN Expert Warns
100,000 Humans Flee Yemen in Four Months Since Fighting Started
“Please stop this war” – Yemeni Children
20 Million People in Yemen – 80 per cent of Total Population – Urgently Need Humanitarian Aid
Yemen: Saudi-Led Airstrikes Used US-Supplied Cluster Munitions
Conflict Taking ‘Immense’ Toll on Yemen Civilians
UN Braces for as Many as 130,000 Refugees Fleeing Yemen by Boat to Africa
Yemen Crisis ‘Getting Worse by the Hour’
War on Yemen: Where Oil and Geopolitics Mix
Four Reasons the Crisis in Yemen Is So Dire Read
‘Yemen will become al-Qaeda headquarters’
Yemenis Rush to Buy food and Fuel as Conflict Escalates
5 Facts You Need to Know about Yemen and its Conflicts
Dangerous Disintegration of Yemen
Iran Condemns Saudi Strikes in Yemen as a ‘Dangerous Step’, Denounces ‘US-backed Aggression’
Libya, Syria, Yemen: Sectarian Conflict Threatens Entire Middle East
Saudi Arabia Moves Heavy Arms to Border with Chaos-stricken Yemen
Yemen on ‘Rapid Downward Spiral’ amid Uptick in Sectarian Violence
Yemen is collapsing before our eyes’ — UN Chief
Yemen’s Power Shift a Setback for Child Soldier Plan
Yemen: 900,000 Children Malnourished
10 Million Yemenis –Over 40% of the Population– Do Not Know Where Their Next Meal Will Come From
A Wedding That Became a Funeral: US Drone Attack on Marriage Procession in Yemen
2015 Human Wrongs Watch
Source: http://human-wrongs-watch.net/2015/08/26/un-child-rights-envoy-urges-end-to-grave-violations-against-children-in-yemen/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
