Author: Rashid HassanID: 1537978552967786000Wed, 2018-09-26 19:16
RIYADH: The report on human rights in Yemen submitted by a group of experts to the UN that surfaced in the media recently has been denounced as “biased” and “inaccurate” by the representation made by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) at the ongoing 39th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
KSRelief, which is working in Yemen with a large-scale and comprehensive plan for the rapid delivery of humanitarian aid and medical help, was invited by the Yemeni Ministry of Human Rights for the session held from Sept. 10 to 28 in Geneva.
KSRelief participated in the session, which included a seminar titled “What is the truth in Yemen covering human rights,” and the center was represented by Abdullah Saleh Al-Moallem, head of the health and environmental aid department, and Hessa Al-Ghadeer, the director of training and capacity building.
In an exclusive conversation with Arab News on Wednesday, Al-Moallem said: “The report submitted by a group of experts to the Human Rights Council was biased, the method was inappropriate and the report was prepared in haste with a lack of objectivity. It is therefore inaccurate in drawing conclusions.
“During my presentation on the truth in Yemen I spoke about the assistance KSRelief has provided to crisis-affected people.”
There were more than four million women and children suffering under severe humanitarian conditions because of the Houthi militias violations of international human rights laws, he said, adding that these illegal actions have made previous humanitarian challenges in the country even more daunting for the international aid community to address.
“I gave an overview of the centers extensive work to alleviate the suffering of the most at-risk groups in Yemen, providing impartial, comprehensive assistance in full accordance with international law,” he said.
KSReliefs projects are designed to help reduce the damage caused to the millions of Yemenis who have suffered at the hands of the Houthi militias for more than three years, he added.
“I also highlighted the importance of the ambitious Saudi project to dismantle land mines in Yemen (Masam) and how it is helping the people in Yemen,” he added.
Al-Moallem further highlighted the rehabilitation program that served former child soldiers under the age of 18 who had been recruited by the Houthi militias to act as combatants and human shields in the ongoing conflict.
He said that Al-Ghadeer in her presentation stressed the centers interest in empowering women by providing vocational training aligned with the demands of the local labor markets in which people in crisis are living.
The programs offered by the center promote financial independence for at-risk groups, helping them to overcome the many humanitarian challenges they face.
Main category: Saudi ArabiaTags: KSReliefUNYemen Saudi Arabia: UN human rights report on Yemen flawedSaudi Arabia's aid agency KSRelief signs program to treat wounded Yemenis
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