NCIAVHR’s Statement at the conclusion of the Expanded Online Meeting with International and Local CSOs on the NCIAVHR’s Efforts to Investigate Violations, and the Role of CSOs in Achieving the Principle of Accountability

The National Commission to Investigate Alleged Violations to Human Rights (“NCIAVHR”), since the beginning of its actual field work in reaching the victims and investigating the facts of human rights violations, has dedicated to cooperate with the active civil society in the field of human rights protection and build a true partnership that helps reveal more of the truth of human rights violations in Yemen. To this end, the Commission held today the extended online meeting that brought it together with a number of influential international, local and regional organizations in conjunction with the Human Rights Council’s 49th session, which aimed to link between the reality of human rights in Yemen and the work of the Commission, and to inform civil society of developments of its field work in monitoring, investigation, accountability and preparing for serious accountability for those responsible for these violations.

In the meeting, the Commission, participated by all its members, reviewed the most important work areas in monitoring, field investigation, referral, enhancing accountability, holding hearing sessions, and working with both civil society and the judiciary.

The attendees discussed in detail and objectively a number of topics, including: the role of national mechanisms in direct intervention in strengthening the work of law enforcement institutions, the methodology of collecting information, and developing a vision for compensation and reparation. The meeting was distinguished by the presence and active participation of heads and representatives of civil society organizations and experts in human rights. It came out with a number of recommendations focused on building a clear partnership between the Commission and active civil society, strengthening the role of the judiciary and supporting the Commission’s efforts in building a large national database that can be used in transitional justice mechanisms in the future, in addition to intensifying the Commission’s efforts to investigate violations that affect marginalized groups, journalists and children, and places that suffer from the security grip, the danger of mines, and the rugged roads.

The Commission expresses its pleasure and optimism at the great interaction shown by the participants, and the observations that serve to achieve the lofty goal of protecting human rights in Yemen, reparation for victims and no impunity for perpetrators. Moreover, the Commission confirms its interest in strengthening the relationship with civil society and its belief in complementarity and interdependence between the Commission, as a field investigation mechanism, and the civil society. The Commission, through all its staff led by its field team in all governorates, will continue to investigate violations that affect Yemenis without exception.

Issued by:
The National Commission to Investigate Alleged Violations to Human Rights (“NCIAVHR”)
Aden –7 March 2022