The UN Human Rights Council has refused to extend the mandate of investigators in Yemen, according to AFP.
The report adds that the UN Human Rights Council has refused to extend the mandate of experts investigating human rights abuses in Yemen.
Meanwhile, human rights NGOs accuse Saudi Arabia of doing everything in its power to prevent the extension of the experts’ mission.
The draft UN resolution provided for the extension of the mission of a group of leading international and regional experts for a new two-year term. The text of the resolution was rejected by 21 countries, with 18 countries voting in favor and seven abstaining. This week, several NGOs condemned Saudi Arabia’s attempt to defeat a UN Human Rights Council resolution.
At its 36th session last year, the UN Human Rights Council approved the formation of a panel of leading regional and international experts to monitor human rights abuses and report on the Yemeni war.
On the other hand, the spokesman of the UN Secretary General, in response to the news of the non-renewal of the UN experts to review the war situation in Yemen, stated that the UN Secretary General opposes the cancellation of the investigation into war crimes in Yemen.
“The Secretary-General emphasizes the need to implement the principle of accountability and to investigate the occurrence of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Yemen,” said Stephen Dujarric.
A spokesman for Antonio Guterres added: “We know very well that the decision not to extend today is the responsibility of the member states and they have the right to do so and take responsibility for such decisions.
He added: “But we will continue to implement the principle of accountability in Yemen, a country where its citizens have repeatedly witnessed crimes against humanity.”
