Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the UNSC meeting on the situation in the Middle East, Yemen

Thank you President.

I wish to thank Special Envoy Grundberg, USG Fletcher and Ms. El Mamoun for their briefings. I also welcome the Permanent Representative of Yemen to the meeting.

President,

A decade of conflict in Yemen has devastated the country and the Yemeni people. Moments of respite over the years, including the UN brokered truce and diplomatic progress on the Roadmap, sparked hope for Yemenis and the international community. However, having reached the grim ten-year milestone of conflict, the recent trajectory has been deeply worrying.

Slovenia deplores the latest military escalation in Yemen and in the Red Sea. Accounts of civilian casualties, including of children, are deeply troubling. We were alarmed by airstrikes on a migrant centre in Sa’dah and on Ras Isa port, reported last month.

Condemnable Houthi attacks against Israel, including recently against Ben Gurion airport, as well as retaliatory strikes by Israel on Yemeni soil including on Sana’a airport, only lead us down a path of further destruction and should cease immediately.

There is an urgent need for restraint by all. We take note of the announcement last week of a US-Houthi agreement, and acknowledge the role played by Oman. Any de-escalation is a step in the right direction. All parties have a duty to uphold international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times.

We also call for reinvigorated discussions on a nationwide ceasefire and inclusive UN-led peace process, focusing on the needs and aspirations of the Yemeni people. In particular, we urge the Houthis to return to the negotiating table. We reiterate our full support for the Special Envoy and the work of his office, and stress the importance of united international community on the path forward for Yemen.

This path has to meaningfully include Yemeni women at every stage of the process, as highlighted powerfully by Ms. El Mamoun. Women’s rights should not be negotiable in any future peace and political process. They should not be an afterthought.   

President,

The already limited humanitarian space in Yemen continues to shrink and the system is under strain. We should have no illusions regarding the long-term impact of this protracted crisis: food insecurity leading to child stunting, outbreaks of epidemics overwhelming the fragile healthcare system, landmines and explosive remnants of war as well as climate change hindering business and agricultural life.

Ordinary Yemenis should not be punished for the Houthi actions. We therefore welcome any moves aimed at facilitating principled humanitarian actions to reach those most in need, and any increase in humanitarian funding, including from the region. We look forward to the outcome of the 7^th Senior Officials Meeting on Yemen in Brussels later this month. 

Slovenia continues to call for the immediate and unconditional release of UN, humanitarian and NGO workers cruelly detained by the Houthis. Recent releases are welcome, but not enough. We commend the UN system and all humanitarians for their commitment to staying and delivering for the vulnerable in Yemen even though the challenges are immense, especially for women humanitarians whose work is shamefully restricted.

We should reflect on the lessons learned from ten years of unsuccessful military campaigns. There is no military solution to the conflict.

To conclude, Mr. President, a brighter future has to lie ahead for Yemen. And this future cannot include a return to all-out war.

I thank you.

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