HR ministry condemns massacre of hospital in Hodeidah
SANAA, Aug. 3 (YPA) – The Ministry of Human Rights on Thursday condemned the US-backed Saudi-led coalition airstrikes’ crime on the main gate of Al-Thawra General Hospital in Hodeidah province, which killed and injured dozens of civilians..
The Ministry said in a statement this crime is a flagrant violation of the principles of international humanitarian law, which prohibit any deliberate or direct attacks against civilians or civilian objects.
The statement also confirmed that the targeting of Al-Thawra General Hospital in Hodeidah by coalition’s warplanes comes within the framework of deliberate and systematic attack on hospitals and health centers since the beginning of the coalition’s war which consider as a war crime, and require accountability of its perpetrators and prosecution and brought before the international judiciary as war criminals.
The statement said that crime, which committed on Thursday, follows statements and appeals by several international organizations, the most recent being UNICEF, which warned of the outbreak of cholera epidemic among civilians in Hodeidah province and the urgent need to provide more support and assistance to the health sector.
“This targeting will increase the suffering of patients and those in need of medical services and who are vulnerable,” the statement said.
The ministry pointed out that this crime comes in conjunction with a meeting of the Security Council on Thursday to hear the briefing of the UN envoy to Yemen on the latest efforts to achieve peace
The Ministry carries the States of the Coalition the criminal responsibility resulting from this crime and all the crimes that preceded it since 26 March 2015.
The statement called on the United Nations and its various agencies to shoulder their moral responsibilities and take immediate decisions that would contribute to protect civilians in Yemen by stopping the coalition’s war and lifting the siege.
The Ministry renewed its call to form an independent international commission to investigate all crimes and violations committed by the coalition against the Yemeni people.
Sameera Hassn