Arria-formula meeting on Yemen  

Statement by

Ambassador K. Nagaraj Naidu

Deputy Permanent Representative 

3 December 2020

Thank you, Ambassador Christoph,

My delegation thanks the Missions of Germany, Belgium, Estonia, the Dominican Republic and incoming Council member Ireland for organizing today’s Arria-formula meeting, though we have our own reservations on the meeting format. 

We would also like to thank the eminent experts for their insightful briefing. The briefing by Amal was deeply touching.

The impact of the ongoing conflict on the basic human rights, needs and dignity of ordinary Yemenis is very clear. 

Every month OCHA has been presenting harrowing figures to the Security Council. 

The estimated loss of life due to conflict, starvation and disease is more than 100,000. Around 3.65 million people have been forced to flee their homes, and 24.3 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. 

The threat of famine looms large. The population is already facing high levels of acute food insecurity is placed at 3.2 million. Malnutrition among children is hitting the highest levels since the conflict started, leaving at least 98,000 children under the age of 5 at the risk of dying. 

These numbers not only underscore the enormity of the crisis and the consequent human suffering but also point to the fact that Yemen’s catastrophe is man-made. 

Protection of civilians and access to humanitarian aid are fundamental and parties to the conflict should comply with their obligations under relevant international law. 

India has provided food and medical aid to Yemen in the past and thousands of Yemeni nationals have availed of medical treatment in India over the past few years. 

India also continues to facilitate education of a large number of Yemeni nationals in various Indian institutions. India remains committed to help Yemen with humanitarian assistance. 

While discussing the broader political conflict in Yemen, the presence of terrorist elements like ISIS and Al Qaeda in parts of the country and their continued attacks on civilian population needs to be addressed. 

Terrorism is an existential threat to humanity and terrorists are the biggest violators of human rights. We must unite in fighting the dark forces of terror everywhere in the world and hold accountable those who support and shelter such terror groups.

Violence against women and girls also deserves our strongest condemnation. Such women-targeted violence distorts the very basis on which civilized societies are founded. 

Yemeni women, girls and children have already paid a high price in the conflict. Many have lost loved ones; others continue to be denied the basic opportunity to lead a life free of violence. This should end immediately. 

Acts of sexual violence in armed conflict already constitutes an important criterion for designation of Security Council Sanctions on Yemen. The Council should also keep under constant review such crimes committed with impunity. 

India has consistently held that greater participation of women in areas of conflict resolution, peace negotiations, peacekeeping and post-conflict peacebuilding is a necessity for lasting peace and security. 

In the above context, we welcome a positive role being played by Yemeni women to create an inclusive and peaceful environment in the country.

While the situation in Yemen is one of grave humanitarian proportions, the solution to it is political, which can be achieved only through a broad and inclusive political process. 

We hope that all parties would eschew violence and fully co-operate with the Special Envoy in finalizing the Joint Declaration at the earliest. 

To this end, we call for an implementation of the Stockholm Agreement of 2018 and the Riyadh Declaration of 2019. 

Ultimately, establishing peace and security through a political dialogue is the only way forward in Yemen. 

Thank you.

***