Resolution on the situation in Yemen
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in Yemen.
The resolution was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE, Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL and EFDD groups.
Parliament condemned in the strongest terms the ongoing violence in Yemen and all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. It deeply regretted the loss of life caused by the conflict, recalling that since March 2015 more than 2500 children have been killed, and more than 22 million people need humanitarian support, over 17 million people are food insecure, among whom more than 8 million people are at risk of starvation.
Negotiated solution: Members called on all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities immediately, urging Saudi Arabia and other actors involved to further lift the ongoing blockade of Yemen, and on all states involved, including Iran, to apply maximum pressure on all parties to work towards de-escalation and stop providing political, military and financial support to military actors on the ground. They stressed that only a political solution to the conflict can restore peace and preserve the independence and territorial integrity of Yemen. In this context, Parliament supported the efforts of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to restart the political process.
Arms embargo: Members noted that there is an international arms embargo in place against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. However, EU Member States have continued to authorise transfers of arms to Saudi Arabia since the escalation of the conflict, in violation of Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment. Members urged all EU Member States to refrain from selling arms and any military equipment to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and any member of the international coalition, as well as to the Yemeni Government and other parties to the conflict. They reiterated the need for the strict application by all EU Member States of the rules laid down in Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, and recalled, in this regard, Parliament’s resolution on the situation in Yemen of 25 February 2016 and its resolution of 30 November 2017.
Humanitarian relief: Members called on all the parties to the conflict to allow for immediate and full humanitarian access to the conflict-affected areas and called on the Council and the UN Security Council, in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015), to identify the individuals obstructing the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Yemen and to impose targeted sanctions on them. They noted that from 2015 until now, the EU has contributed more than EUR 233 million in humanitarian funding to Yemen.
War crimes: Parliament stated that the Saudi-led campaign and the intense aerial bombardments, including indiscriminate attacks in densely populated areas, exacerbate the humanitarian impact of the war. It referred to the deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian targets such as schools and hospitals, and noted that according to the findings of the Group of Independent Eminent International and Regional Experts (GEE), such attacks may amount to war crimes and the individuals who commit them may be prosecuted for these crimes. It called for a referral of the situation in Yemen to the International Criminal Court (ICC), and urged Yemen to join the ICC, which would allow for the prosecution of all those responsible for the crimes committed during the conflict, in the absence of a UN Security Council referral. Member States were urged to take all necessary measures to hold alleged perpetrators to account.
Drone strikes: the resolution remarked that the majority of strikes carried out by US forces in Yemen are lethal drone strikes, and the decision to add certain persons to the target lists of drone operations is often made without court warrants or orders, and this can under certain circumstances be seen as extrajudicial killing. It urged the Council to adopt a Common Position on the use of armed drones and to oppose extrajudicial killings, including the use of drones, and ensure that Member States do not perpetrate or take part in unlawful lethal operations.