Statement by Klemen Ponikvar, Political Coordinator of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Nations, at the UNSC meeting on the situation in the Middle East

Thank you Mr. President.

We would like to begin our statement by thanking Special Envoy Grundberg and Under Secretary General Fletcher for their informative briefings. We also welcome the Permanent Representative of Yemen to today’s meeting.

President,

I begin my statement today with a clear and unequivocal condemnation of the latest wave of arbitrary detentions by the Houthis of United Nations staff. We also condemn their forced entry into UN premises and seizure of UN property in Yemen.

These acts are totally unacceptable and represent yet another escalation.

They also add to the already unacceptable detention of personnel from the UN, national and international NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions over the past number of years. They are a clear violation of international law and an affront to peace efforts and to our UN family.

Let me convey my country’s message in the most clear and simple way: All those detained by the Houthis must be released immediately and without condition. Humanitarians must be enabled to carry out their lifesaving and life-sustaining work freely and safely.

We are deeply concerned by the impact detentions could have on the humanitarian situation in Yemen, when needs are so high. Yemenis already struggle to survive without adequate food, medicine and shelter. For many, including internally displaced persons, women and children, humanitarian workers are the last lifeline.

We appreciate the efforts of the Special Envoy, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, and the whole UN system to secure releases, while also striving to achieve peace and to assist the local population.

To the Houthis we say directly: “These reckless and inhumane acts only harm your own people, the Yemeni people. Reverse course now.”

Mr. President,

Slovenia also deeply regrets that the cycle of hostilities between the Houthis and Israel has once again seriously escalated. We condemn continued Houthi targeting of Israel, as well as strikes by Israel in Yemen, which have reportedly resulted in civilian deaths, have caused damage to critical civilian infrastructure, and have come very close to UN facilities.

These back-and-forth attacks must end. We repeat our longstanding call for immediate de-escalation and for the full respect of international humanitarian law by all parties, including the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must also be respected. The same core principle applies to all countries of the region.

Mr. President,

Yemen cannot afford to be further engulfed in a spiralling regional conflict. Neither can we afford a return to full-scale war on Yemeni soil. The people of Yemen deserve a genuine and inclusive political process. It is long overdue. They should not be used as a pawn in a geopolitical game. The best option and course of action is for all parties to engage in good faith and without pre-conditions with the Special Envoy’s efforts towards a consolidated ceasefire and the development of a UN Roadmap.

Slovenia reiterates its commitment to a just and lasting peace for the Yemeni people and stresses the importance of the unity of the Security Council and the broader international community to finally deliver on this goal.

As the Envoy said: We need to bring the focus back on Yemen.

I thank you.

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