Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the UNSC Briefing and Consultations on Yemen

Thank you Madam President.

 I also want to thank Special Envoy Mr. Grundberg, Acting Under-Secretary-General Msuya, as well as Dr. Jumaan for their briefings today. And I welcome the Ambassador of Yemen in the chamber.

President, recent weeks have seen a dangerous escalation in the region, from which Yemen is regrettably not immune. We condemn the latest spiral of violence, which has seen Houthi attacks against Tel Aviv and Ashkelon, as well as renewed Israeli strikes against Hodeidah and Ras Issa ports. We reiterate that attacks against civilian infrastructure and objects are prohibited under international law. We urge all actors to exercise maximum restraint, and to do the utmost to contain the escalation and avoid embroiling Yemen further in the crisis.

A dangerous and unending tit-for-tat is not in anyone’s interest. In particular, we call on the Houthis to focus on the needs and aspirations of Yemeni people first and foremost. We urge all Yemeni actors to display courage and determination to re-focus efforts on an inclusive Yemeni peace process and the Special Envoy’s Roadmap. Dialogue can be the only way forward.

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Meanwhile Madam President, the humanitarian needs of Yemenis on the ground are not subsiding, as we have just heard from the briefers. And the situation for humanitarians operating in Yemen continues to be extremely precarious. More than 100 days have passed since the detention by the Houthis of UN staff and other humanitarian and NGO workers. This is unacceptable and we reiterate our calls for their immediate and unconditional release. We stress that UN personnel enjoy immunity from detention, and that UN premises are inviolable.

Slovenia is also concerned by the potential humanitarian impact of developments in the Red Sea and Yemen’s western ports, whether they be unrelenting Houthi attacks against commercial shipping, which risk environmental catastrophe, or strikes against Hodeidah and Ras Issa. It is vital that crucial waterways and port infrastructure remain open and functioning, particularly given Yemen’s heavy reliance on imports.

And while needs are soaring across the region, we urge donors to continue to prioritise Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, and the life-saving and life-sustaining work that OCHA and other humanitarian actors are carrying out on the ground, across the country.    

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Before concluding I want to take the opportunity to highlight the plight of Yemeni children following a decade of brutal conflict. From recruitment, to early marriage, to facing increasing protection risks as a result of displacement and the highest risks from landmines and unexploded ordnance, Yemeni children continue to suffer the brunt of the war which they have played no part in creating. It is deeply distressing that while almost 40% of Yemen’s children are now out of school and denied a regular education, others face indoctrination in Houthi summer camps, perpetuating an unending cycle of violence.  

Madam President, last month we adopted the ‘Pact for the Future’, including a Declaration on Future Generations. All parties in Yemen must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law – this includes their obligations to the protection of Yemen’s children. Otherwise, we risk losing an entire future generation.

I thank you.  

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