NCIAVHR Discusses with the Minister of Defense the Role of the Military Institution in Protecting Human Rights in Yemen

Aden | June 1, 2024

Today, the Chairman and members of the National Commission to Investigate Alleged Violations of Human Rights (NCIAVHR) met with His Excellency the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Mohsen Al-Daari, at the ministry’s headquarters in the interim capital, Aden. This meeting is part of the Commission’s program of engagements with various official bodies concerned with human rights protection.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister of Defense praised the significant work carried out by the Commission in protecting human rights in Yemen, noting the high level of accomplishment in its tasks. He emphasized the ministry’s and the military institutions’ commitment to cooperating with the Commission members and their field teams.

Minister Al-Daari affirmed the ministry’s efforts to facilitate the Commission’s access to all areas and visit various detention centers to ensure human rights guarantees and correct any mistakes. He pointed out the army’s role in all areas during the war, adhering to the principles of international humanitarian law and achieving a balance between security necessities and international human rights standards.

For his part, the Chairman of the Commission, Judge Ahmed Al-Maflihi, explained the Commission’s recent work and its monitoring of the human rights situation, continuing investigations and documentation efforts to benefit the victims, provide justice, and prevent perpetrators from escaping punishment.

Judge Al-Maflihi reviewed several results from the Commission’s visits to various governorates and the key observations related to human rights protection, particularly the role of the military in this regard, especially given the ongoing war in several governorates, the humanitarian situation of residents in frontline areas, the guarantees of aid delivery, and civilian protection.

During the meeting, Commission members discussed several files under investigation and the activation of internal accountability by the Ministry of Defense. They also addressed the Commission inquiries directed at military authorities in Marib, Aden, Lahij, Taiz, and Hodeidah, ensuring civilian protection, and freedom of movement, particularly with the partial reopening of several roads, and providing the necessary needs for the army to perform its humanitarian and legal duties.

The meeting was attended by Commission members Judge Hussein Al-Mashdali, Judge Nasser Al-Audhali, Judge Mohammed Talayan, Judge Ishraq Al-Maqtari, Judge Jihad Abdulrasool, and Major General Abdulhakim Al-Shaibi, Director of the Minister of Defense’s Office.