UNHRC extends human rights situation probe in Yemen

GENEVA, Sept. 29 (YPA) – The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Friday decided to extend the period of investigation into the human rights violations in Yemen by a vote of 21 in favor, eight against and 18 abstentions.

Pro-resolution countries, including Canada and member states of European Union, saw that the panel of experts assigned by the council to the task last year still has work to do in Yemen, media reported.

The experts confirmed in a report last month that air strikes launched by Saudi-led coalition war on Yemen have caused heavy casualties among civilians, some of which amount to war crimes.

The report, which held the coalition responsible for most of Yemen’s civilian casualties, said more than 10,000 people had been killed in the war and 8.4 million were on the verge of famine.

“Over the past three years, air strikes have hit residential areas, markets, funerals, weddings, detention facilities, civilian boats and even medical facilities,” the UN report said.

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