Every year, December 10th serves as a global reminder of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—a benchmark that delineates the rights and freedoms owed to every individual as a human being in our world. On this International Human Rights Day, marked as the first global proclamation criminalizing all violations against civilians, the emphasis is placed on preserving their dignity and upholding their rights, as articulated in Article 3 of the Declaration “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person”.

Yemen’s war has claimed the lives of more than 377,000 people, including scores of civilians, since its outbreak, and Yemenis have endured a wide spectrum of violations that begin with the infringement of the right to life and personal security, such as killings and repeated attacks on Yemeni individuals, regardless of gender. Despite the ongoing negotiations and the decrease in active hostilities, parties to the conflict have continued to violate human rights throughout the country. Yet, the perpetrators remain beyond the reach of justice, secure from punishment. International mechanisms of justice are obstructed from continuing their work in Yemen, presenting a clear challenge to the endeavor of reinstating these rights and laws, making them a living reality. Despite the harsh and complex context currently faced by Yemen, we strongly reaffirm our commitment to human rights principles, vowing to defend them and confront all forms of violations.

In light of this commitment, we call upon human rights organizations, international institutions, and all those working in the field of human rights to prioritize and intensify collaborative efforts to promote and protect human rights worldwide, including Yemen. Our statement today serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the values of justice, equality, and human dignity.

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