The National Commission for Inquiry Releases the 8th Progress Report from August 2019 to July 2020

Aden- Sunday, 30 August 2020

Today the National Commission to Investigate Alleged Violations to Human Rights in Yemen issued its eighth periodic report on the actions it carried out during the period from 1 August 2019 to 31 July 2020.

At the forefront of its activities is the investigation of the facts of human rights violations related to international humanitarian law and human rights law that occurred during different periods of the years 2019, 2020, and preceding years throughout Yemen. The investigation process was accompanied by interviews, field visits, and access to victims in those areas.

The report indicated that the Commission was able, during a full year, to complete the investigation into (2,940) incidents of violation that included more than (30 types) of violations, with a total of 6,163 victims.

The Commission listened to 14,983 witnesses, informants and victims, verified their testimonies and statements, and viewed 14,265 documents, in addition to reviewing and analyzing hundreds of photos and videos related to these incidents.

Moreover, the report referred to some findings of cases completely investigated by the Commission, including the killing and wounding of (1,647) civilian victims throughout the governorates due to the targeting of neighborhoods and protected areas, among them (712) were killed, including (66) women and (122) children, and (935) wounded, including (113) women and (247) children. The Houthi group was held accountable for killing (321) civilians and wounding (735), the Arab coalition and government forces were held accountable for the killing of (321) civilians and (148) wounded, and other parties are held accountable for killing 65 civilians and wounding 52 others.

Furthermore, the report of the National Commission indicated some other findings, including the investigation of (21) bombings and attacks on cultural and historical objects. The Houthi group bears responsibility for 16 incidents, and the government forces and the Arab coalition aircraft bear responsibility for in 4 incidents, while one attack was imputed to the Houthi group in partnership with government forces. The Commission also investigated nine incidents of attacks on medical personnel and health facilities.

The report monitored the recruitment of (126) children, and (85) incidents of planting mines, all of which were solely imputed to the Houthi group.

The 8th report of the National Commission documented 271 incidents of forcible deportation. The Houthi group bears responsibility for 109 incidents while the Security Belt Forces bear responsibility for 152 incidents, and 10 recent incidents were imputed to other parties.

The Commission monitored (1,304) cases of alleged arbitrary arrest and enforced disappearance that were investigated, and (55) incidents of extrajudicial killings.

The Chairperson of the National Commission, Judge Ahmed Saeed Al-Maflahi, said that the report included types of violations and the responsible authorities, and that the Commission were dedicated to apply a clear methodology in accordance with international principles and standards represented by the principle of transparency, independency, impartiality, objectivity, professionalism and confidentiality.

Judge Al-Maflahi added, “The aforementioned period during which the report covered included security and military events, political, economic and social situations and the spread of the Corona pandemic, which negatively affected the human rights and humanitarian situation in the country,” noting that the 8th report is complementary and connected to the seven reports previously produced by the Commission.

Judge Al-Maflahi emphasized that the Commission is keen to monitor, document, and investigate by its followed mechanisms by conducting field visits to the network of monitors in all governorates to the scenes of violations. Mr. Al-Maflahi ensured the impartiality of the Commission and its relationship with all parties to the conflict, which will be reflected in the reduction of violations, the protection of victims’ rights, and criminal and legal accountability on perpetrators.

The 8th periodic report of the National Commission aims to inform the local, regional and international public opinion of its mandates and roles in reaching victims to determine responsibility and achieve accountability, in completion to the seven previous periodic reports produced by the Commission since its inception 5 years ago.

To Read and Download the 8th Report of the National Commission, Please Visit the Following Link: