GENEVA / YEMEN HUMAN RIGHTS

Civilian casualties are on the rise again in Yemen, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Spokesperson Rupert Colville told media representatives in Geneva that “civilian casualties continue to mount in Yemen.

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:53
• Production Date: 4 March 2016
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS - OHCHR
• Subject Topical: HUMAN RIGHTS
• Geographic Subject: YEMEN
• MAMS Id: 1577530
• Parent Id: 1577530
• Alternate Title: unifeed160304b

Description

STORY: GENEVA/ YEMEN HUMAN RIGHTS
TRT: 01:58
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 4 MARCH 2016, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Shotlist

RECENT, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

1. Wide shot, exterior, Palais des Nations

4 MARCH 2016, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

2. Pan right, press briefing
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“Civilian casualties continue to mount in Yemen. During the month of February, a total of at least 168 civilians were killed and 193 injured, around two-thirds of them by Coalition airstrikes. In the country as a whole, 117 civilians were killed and another 129 wounded as a result of airstrikes, with the largest number of casualties (99) attributed to airstrikes hitting the capital, Sana’a.”
4. Wide shot, panel
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“In the worst single incident, on 27 February, at least 39 civilians, including nine children, were killed, and another 33 injured, by an airstrike that took place around midday on the Khaleq market in a north-eastern district of Sana’a. This is the highest death toll resulting from a single airstrike since 41 people were killed in another market in Sa’ada five months ago.”
6. Med shot, journalists
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“Civilian infrastructure continued to be destroyed or damaged throughout February, with both parties targeting protected civilian sites. On 3 February, 14 civilians were killed and 53 injured, including children, after airstrikes reportedly hit a cement factory in Amran.”
8. Med shot, UN logo
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“There have also been worrying allegations – which we are still working to verify - that Coalition forces dropped cluster bombs on a mountainous area to the south of the Amran cement factory, where a military unit loyal to the Houthis appears to have been the target.”
10. Med shot, journalists
11. Close up, journalist
12. Close up, journalist

Storyline

Civilian casualties are on the rise again in Yemen, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Spokesperson Rupert Colville told media representatives today (4 Mar) in Geneva that “civilian casualties continue to mount in Yemen. During February, a total of at least 168 civilians were killed and 193 injured, around two-thirds of them by Coalition airstrikes. In the country as a whole, 117 civilians were killed and another 129 wounded as a result of airstrikes, with the largest number of casualties (99) attributed to airstrikes hitting the capital, Sana’a.”

In November last year, there was a marked decrease in airstrike casualties, but since then they have risen again sharply, with the number killed almost doubling between January and February. The number of civilian casualties recorded last month was the highest since September.

Since 26 March 2015, OHCHR has documented a total of 3,081 civilians killed and 5,733 injured. These figures refer solely to reported civilian casualties.

Rupert Colville pointed out that “in the worst single incident, on 27 February, at least 39 civilians, including nine children, were killed, and another 33 injured, by an airstrike that took place around midday on the Khaleq market in a north-eastern district of Sana’a. This is the highest death toll resulting from a single airstrike since 41 people were killed in another market in Sa’ada five months ago.”

According to the UN, fighting and indiscriminate shelling by Members of the Popular Committees affiliated with the Houthis and allied army units loyal to former president Saleh resulted in an additional 49 civilian casualties during February, mostly in Taizz, Ibb and Al Jawf.

“Civilian infrastructure continued to be destroyed or damaged throughout February, with both parties targeting protected civilian sites. On 3 February, 14 civilians were killed and 53 injured, including children, after airstrikes reportedly hit a cement factory in Amran.”

OHCHR is also concerned about the allegations on the use of cluster bombs. Rupert Colville said that “there have also been worrying allegations – which we are still working to verify -- that Coalition forces dropped cluster bombs on a mountainous area to the south of the Amran cement factory, where a military unit loyal to the Houthis appears to have been the target.”

OHCHR took note of the 31 January statement by the Spokesman of the Coalition Forces concerning the establishment of a multi-national team formed by the Command of the Coalition Forces to evaluate the military targeting mechanisms and incidents taking place in civilian areas. OHCHR recalls the Command of the Coalition Forces that any investigation must ensure its accordance with international standards, including on independence and impartiality.