Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the briefing on the situation in the Middle East, Yemen

Thank you Mr. President and I also want to thank our briefers this morning: Special Envoy Grundberg and Director Wosornu of OCHA. I also welcome the Yemeni Ambassador in the chamber.

President,

We meet today regrettably seeing continuing challenging conditions to peace since our last discussion in this chamber. We continue to urge all actors to prioritise the Yemeni people, and to engage in good faith with the Special Envoy’s three-pronged approach, which should lead to a roadmap agreement and an inclusive intra-Yemeni process. This approach has Slovenia’s full support, the support of this Council and the broader international community.

The significant gains made up until the end of 2023 should not be reversed, and hope should not be lost, for the sake of the Yemeni people. It is imperative that all efforts are devoted to ensuring the establishment of conditions in which Yemeni society can begin to recover and rebuild – most of all the conditions for peace, safety and security.

President,

The detention in recent days by the Houthis of a number of UN and NGO personnel and staff in Yemen is deeply disturbing. We unequivocally condemn these detentions.

The incident follows an increasing erosion of respect for international humanitarian law and protection of humanitarian, medical and UN personnel in conflict zones. This trend is worrying and the Security Council should react consistently and firmly to these incidents. 

All parties to the conflict in Yemen should fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law. This includes obligations relating to the respect and protection of humanitarian personnel, who are undertaking lifesaving work on the ground. As Director Wosornu and several colleagues before me, we recall that arbitrary deprivation of liberty is prohibited under international law.

We also have serious concerns about the impact of these latest developments on the provision of humanitarian aid in Yemen, at a time when needs remain so high and the country continues to face one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The provision of aid, including the safe passage and conduct of humanitarian activities by aid workers, is an obligation under international humanitarian law.

Slovenia calls for the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those detained in the past days by the Houthis, as well as those detained previously and held for a number of years and we support Envoy’s effort in that regard.

President,

Unilateral economic decisions of which we heard today from both briefers are only exacerbating an already dire situation in Yemen. They risk complicating humanitarian operations and affecting commercial imports. This is against the backdrop of a worrying cholera outbreak, continuing displacement crisis, unrelenting climate-related challenges, rising levels of food insecurity, and reprehensible attacks in the Red Sea which have not ceased in spite of demands by this Council.

We therefore call for an immediate end to economic hostilities by all actors, given the extremely fragile economic and humanitarian landscape in the country.

We also call upon the parties to engage constructively with the Special Envoy to find mutually acceptable solutions which can stabilise the economic situation and unlock Yemen’s true economic potential.

President,

At this sensitive juncture all parties should prioritise de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. The benefits of long-term peace for Yemen should remain our driving force.

Thank you.

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