Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, at the 7255th Meeting, 29 Aug. 2014, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "the Situation in the Middle East"]

S/PRST/2014/18View 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 2014.

What subjects does this mandate have?

6 subjects

Constitutions Humanitarian Assistance Internal Security Political Conditions Post-Conflict Reconstruction Yemen

What’s in this document?

15 paragraphs

At the 7255th meeting of the Security Council, held on 29 August 2014, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council welcomes the recent progress in Yemen’s political transition, in line with the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, including the recent meeting of the National Authority for Monitoring the Implementation of the National Dialogue Outcomes on 11 August; and the economic reform agenda. The Security Council supports President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi in his efforts to address the concerns of all parties within the framework of the National Dialogue Conference Outcomes, urging the Yemeni authorities to expedite the process of reforms, including Army and security sector reform.

“The Security Council urges all the parties in Yemen to adhere to resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation, reject acts of violence to achieve political goals, refrain from provocation, and fully abide by resolutions 2014 (2011), 2051 (2012) and 2140 (2014). Furthermore, the Security Council calls on all member states to refrain from external interference which seeks to foment conflict and instability and instead to support the political transition.

“The members of the Security Council note with concern that the Houthis and others continue to stoke the conflict in the north in an attempt to obstruct the political transition. The Security Council recalls that resolution 2140 (2014) introduced targeted sanctions measures against individuals or entities engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability in Yemen. The Security Council supports the efforts of the Panel of Experts in gathering and analysing information regarding the implementation of these measures, in particular incidents of undermining the political transition.

“The Security Council expresses grave concern about the deterioration of the security situation in Yemen in light of the action taken by the Houthis, led by Abdul Malik al Houthi, and those who support them, to undermine the political transition and the security of Yemen. These actions include their escalating campaign to bring down the Government; establishing camps in and around Sana’a; seeking to supplant the authority of the state by installing checkpoints on strategic routes into Sana’a; as well as on-going fighting in al Jawf. The Security Council calls on all armed groups to refrain from any action which might exacerbate this already fragile situation.

“The Security Council condemns the actions of Houthi forces commanded by Abdullah Yahya al Hakim (Abu Ali al Hakim) who overran Amran including the Yemeni Army Brigade headquarters on 8 July.

“The Security Council calls on the Houthis to:

(a) withdraw their forces from Amran and return Amran to Government of Yemen control;

(b) cease all armed hostilities against the Government of Yemen in al Jawf; and

“The Security Council condemns the growing number of attacks carried out or sponsored by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, and expresses its determination to address this threat in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including applicable human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, and in this regard, through the Al-Qaida sanctions regime administered by the Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) and reiterates its readiness, under the above-mentioned regime, to sanction further individuals, groups, undertakings and entities who do not cut off all ties to Al-Qaida and associated groups.

“The Security Council stresses the need for an initial draft of the constitution to be passed to the National Authority review in a timely manner in order to conduct a referendum on the constitution without undue delay.

“The Security Council reiterates its call for comprehensive, independent and impartial investigations, consistent with international standards, into alleged human rights violations and abuses in line with the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism. The Security Council recalls its reference in resolution 2140 (2014) to the early adoption of a law on transitional justice and national reconciliation.

“The Security Council notes the formidable economic, security and social challenges confronting Yemen, which continue to leave many Yemenis in acute need of humanitarian assistance. It reaffirms the need to expedite economic reforms, which are a necessary part of achieving macroeconomic stability, fighting poverty and addressing the chronic humanitarian consequences of the crisis in a sustainable manner. It encourages rapid implementation of Government of Yemen plans to improve social protection, as well as urging the international community to support the Humanitarian Response plan which remains underfunded. The Security Council also urges all parties to facilitate safe and unhindered access for humanitarian actors to reach people in need of humanitarian assistance. It also reaffirms the need for all parties to ensure the safety of civilians, including those receiving assistance as well as the need to ensure the security of humanitarian personnel and United Nations and its associated personnel.

“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. In this regard it welcomes the continued and co-ordinated efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council, ‘Group of Ten Ambassadors’, the Secretary-General’s Good Offices, including through the Special Adviser Jamal Benomar, the wider diplomatic community, and the next Friends of Yemen meeting that will take place on 24 September in New York. The Security Council underscores the need for continued international support for Yemen’s political transition, including through the fulfilment of commitments made by donors to support Yemen.”

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