Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, at the 6744th Meeting, 29 Mar. 2012, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "the Situation in the Middle East"]

S/PRST/2012/8View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Presidential Statement of the Security Council, under agenda item 58 The situation in the Middle East, published in 2012.

What subjects does this mandate have?

4 subjects

Democratization Elections Political Conditions Yemen

What’s in this document?

10 paragraphs

At the 6744th meeting of the Security Council, held on 29 March 2012, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East”, the President of the Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council welcomes the Yemeni-led peaceful transition process to a just and democratic political system. It notes the recent progress, including the 21 February elections which occurred in a largely peaceful manner and with an encouraging level of turn-out and the 25 February transfer of power to President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, as per the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism. The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen.

“The Security Council expresses concern at the recent deterioration in cooperation among political actors and the risks this poses to the transition. The Security Council reaffirms its resolution 2014 (2011), and calls upon all political actors in Yemen to remain committed to the political transition, constitutional order, to play a constructive role in the process and to reject violence.

“The Security Council notes that the second phase of the transition should focus on the holding of a Conference for National Dialogue, restructuring of the security forces, tackling the unauthorised possession of weapons outside the control of the state, passing legislation on transitional justice to support reconciliation, Constitutional reform, electoral reform and the holding of general elections in 2014. The Security Council emphasises the need for these political processes to be conducted in an inclusive manner involving the full participation of the different segments of Yemeni society, including the regions of the country, the major social groups and the full and effective participation of women.

“The Security Council emphasises the importance of a well planned and peaceful preparatory process for the Conference for National Dialogue and therefore urges the quick formation by the Yemeni Government of an inclusive Preparatory Committee involving the major constituencies. In the context of a genuinely inclusive process, the Security Council reminds the Yemeni Government and other actors of the need to release those protesters arbitrarily detained during the crisis.

“The Security Council expresses its strong concern about intensified terrorist attacks, including by Al Qaida, within Yemen. It condemns such terrorist attacks in the strongest terms and supports the efforts of the Yemeni Government to combat terrorism in compliance with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law. It expresses deep condolences to the families of the victims in the March attacks in Abyan, southern Yemen.

“The Security Council notes the formidable economic and social challenges confronting Yemen, which have left many Yemenis in acute need of humanitarian assistance. It welcomes the expansion of the humanitarian response capacity by UN agencies and partners, while noting its concern that the 2012 Humanitarian Response Plan is significantly underfunded, and urges renewed and sustained support by donors for the Plan. The Security Council also urges all parties to facilitate full, safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian actors to reach people in need of humanitarian assistance.

“The Security Council notes with appreciation the planned 23 May Friends of Yemen Ministerial meeting in Riyadh and calls for the international community to maintain its active support to help the Yemeni government meet the forthcoming political, security, economic and humanitarian challenges. The Security Council looks forward to an action plan set out by the Yemeni authorities, in close cooperation with all the parties in Yemen and in a spirit of dialogue, on how these challenges could be addressed with the support of the international community. They affirm their view that the Friends of Yemen have a particularly important role to play by bringing together the main international actors in a common endeavour to support Yemen’s overall transitional plans during the next two years.

“The Security Council reiterates that all those responsible for human rights violations and abuses, including acts of violence, should be held accountable. The Security Council also notes with concern that children continue to be recruited and used by armed groups and certain elements of the military and calls for continued national efforts to discourage the use and recruitment of child soldiers.

“The Security Council reiterates its call to all parties to remain fully committed to the success of the transition and welcomes the continued engagement of the good offices of the Secretary-General and his Special Advisor, Jamal Benomar. It welcomes the Secretary-General’s intention to dispatch a team of experts to monitor the implementation and provide advice to the parties in consultation with the government of Yemen; and supports the intention of the United Nations to focus its political engagement through a small presence in Yemen of officials working closely alongside the UN Country Team in order to support Yemeni efforts to organise a National Dialogue process that is inclusive, transparent and participatory, and will work in coordination with partner Missions, with the Yemeni government to adopt transitional justice legislation, carry out constitutional reform and offer support up to and including the general elections in 2014. The Security Council remains closely engaged on the situation in Yemen and will continue to closely follow the next steps towards a peaceful political transition of power.”

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