Yemen war: Civilian death toll tops 1,500 amid human rights violations and abuses says UN

The United Nations Human Rights Office voiced its deep concern over the worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in Yemen, where more than 1,500 civilians were reportedly killed, 3,600 others injured, and one million displaced in three months of violence.

Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict that started on 27 March, UN secretary-general spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing on Tuesday (7 July).

"Over the past few weeks, the Human Rights Office's team on the ground has been able to document human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict," Dujarric said.

"These include violations of the right to life, abduction, ill-treatment, restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, attacks against humanitarian workers, medical staff and facilities, as well as journalists and media organizations," said Dujarric, adding that dozens of civilians have been abducted and subjected to arbitrary detention in Sanaa.

The Human Rights Office has also received worrying reports that local Popular Resistance committees affiliated with exiled President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi have summarily executed at least six people perceived to be loyal to the Houthi-Saleh coalition and committed acts of ill-treatment, he said.

Humanitarian access also remains severely constrained by the violence. Since the beginning of the conflict, land, air and maritime restrictions have severely reduced imports – with food and other essentials dropping significantly.

The High Commissioner's Office of the UN once more urged all sides in the conflict to ensure that international human rights law and international humanitarian law are respected, and to ensure that all feasible measures are taken to ensure civilians are protected, said Dujarric.