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| Arabia |
| Yemen, Houthi rebels urged to probe war crimes |
| 2010-04-08 |
| [Al Arabiya Latest] Yemen's government and Shiite rebels should investigate allegations of war crimes in their conflict in the north now that a truce has taken hold, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday. "It is time to end the impunity surrounding the cycle of civilian suffering in northern Yemen," Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at New York-based Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. After failing to obtain visas to Yemen, the team of the New York-based watchdog released in Dubai its report "All Quiet on the Northern Front? Uninvestigated Laws of war Violations in Yemen's War with Houthi Rebels," saying both sides may have targeted or endangered non-combatants. The report documents how "government forces may have indiscriminately bombed and shelled civilian areas, causing civilian casualties, and how Houthi forces may have committed summary executions and unlawfully deployed in populated areas," HRW said in a statement released at a media conference. "Houthi forces also allegedly carried out pillage and looting, used 'human shields,' and prevented civilians from fleeing war zones, even to seek medical treatment," it said. It charged that "both sides used children in combat, in violation of international law." "The recent truce is an opportunity to strengthen protection for civilians by investigating alleged war crimes and making sure the victims receive justice," Stork said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 HRW - the terrorist's friend™ |
| Posted by: Frank G 2010-04-08 19:07 |