Five international non-governmental organizations issued a joint oral statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council urging it to "adopt a new resolution mandating an international independent body under the auspices of the UN to carry out comprehensive investigations into allegations of violations of international law by all parties to the conflict" in Yemen.
The NGOs added that the move is "an urgently needed step to hold those responsible for violations to account, and to deter future violations."
The humanitarian organizations read their statement during the 33rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, as they welcomed the continued efforts to secure peace.
But they said it was "imperative that the international community uses its influence to ensure all parties to the armed conflict act in compliance with obligations under international law."
The statement was made on behalf of Save the Children and 4 INGOs that provide humanitarian assistance and support to vulnerable children and families in Yemen.
After eighteen months of conflict, ten million children are unable to access sufficient food, primary health care, education and other essential services. Over three million people have fled their homes because of ongoing conflict.
According to Oxfam, two out of three of those Yemenis forced to flee their homes have been displaced for 10 months or longer.
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over a thousand children, and at least another 1796 injured. Tens of thousands more live in fear of intensive ground fighting and airstrikes.
The UN Secretary-General’s 2016 Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict pointed to an alarming increase in other grave violations against children, including military recruitment and use of children and attacks on schools and hospitals.
Further child casualties, attacks on schools and hospitals and other grave violations against children have been recorded throughout 2016.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by Website Team
