A legal team recently met with the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur on the exploitation of children, Paolina, to discuss the dire situation faced by children in Yemen. The team emphasized the ongoing violations perpetrated by the Houthi militia, which continues to impact the lives of countless young individuals.
Urgent Call for International Intervention
During the discussion, the team stressed the critical need for international intervention and support from specialized organizations to protect Yemeni children. The Houthi militia has forced hundreds of children into combat roles, exposing them to violence and trauma. Furthermore, these groups compel children in their control areas to attend military training disguised as “summer camps.” These camps aim to indoctrinate children with sectarian ideologies and alter their national identity.
Efforts to Address Abductions and Detentions
In a separate meeting, the legal team engaged with Anouka Compernos, the Operations Coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in the Near East, Middle East, and Yemen. They discussed the organization’s efforts to locate individuals who have been kidnapped or are missing in Houthi-controlled prisons.
Conditions in Houthi Prisons
The legal team, in coordination with several organizations through the Humanitarian Rights Association, highlighted the appalling conditions within Houthi prisons. They reported that these facilities fail to meet even the most basic human rights standards. Most detainees endure physical and psychological torture, with hundreds reportedly dying while in custody due to such abuses.
The ongoing violations against children and the alarming conditions in Houthi prisons necessitate immediate action from the international community. Protecting the rights and lives of Yemeni children must remain a priority as the situation continues to deteriorate.
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