The US, France and the UK approved a United Nations resolution on Friday allowing Saudi Arabia and its allies to conduct a so-called “national” investigation into violations of human rights in war-torn Yemen, according to Anti-War.com.
Under the terms of the Dutch draft, the sides of the conflict would be obliged to let international humanitarian groups provide citizens with aid, and hospitals across the country with medications and equipment. Now, the UN will support Saudi-led coalition with “technical assistance,” a stipulation that requires actual participation in the investigation only in case the Saudis request it.
The decision has sparked significant backlash among human rights activists.
“The result [of the UN vote] is a lost opportunity for the [UN Human Rights] council and a huge victory for Saudi Arabia, protecting it from scrutiny over laws of war violations which will probably continue to be committed in Yemen,” said Philippe Dam, deputy director of Human Rights Watch in Geneva.
Violence in Yemen has claimed the lives of thousands of civilians in the last six months.
