5 Apr 2011

GENEVA / HUMAN RIGHTS YEMEN

The UN human rights office today called on the Government of Yemen to immediately halt the use of force against people exercising their right to peaceful protest, noting that over 100 people have reportedly been killed since the demonstrations began. UNTV

Posted at: April 5, 2011 12:34 pm

Duration: 01:26

Available in: SD

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STORY: GENEVA / HUMAN RIGHTS YEMEN
TRT: 1.26
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 5 APRIL 2011, GENEVA SWITZERLAND

1. Wide shot, exterior, Palais des Nations in Geneva
2. Wide shot, press room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights: 
"We're very alarmed by reports of disproportionate and excessive use of force again in Yemen.  The use of force included machine guns apparently against peaceful protesters in Taiz yesterday. That led to at least 15 deaths and dozens of serious injuries. This takes the total reported death toll since the protests began in Yemen more than 55 days ago to more than 100 people killed."
4. Cutaway, Press Room  
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights: 
"We call on the government to immediately cease the use of force against people exercising their rights to peaceful protest and we call on the go to fulfil its earlier commitment to establish a commission of enquiry into allegations of killings and abuse by government forces."
6. Cutaway, journalist working on computer
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights: 
"There are also worrying reports of detention, harassment and expulsion of human rights defenders and journalists in Yemen and we call on the government to halt the targeting of minorities particularly a marginalized group commonly referred to as the Akhdam."
8. Cutaway, journalist typing on computer
9. Wide shot, press room

STORYLINE:

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Rexpressed grave concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Speaking at a press conference today in Geneva, spokesperson Rupert Colville called on the Yemeni Government to "immediately cease the use of force against people exercising their rights to peaceful protest." He also urged the government to "fulfil its earlier commitment to establish a commission of enquiry into allegations of killings and abuse by government forces."

Yesterday (4 April), Yemeni security forces fired on anti-government protesters, killing at least 15 people and wounding many more. Witnesses said snipers opened fire from the rooftops when demonstrators reached the governor's offices in Taiz. Snipers had also reportedly shot at protesters during a march in the fourth-largest city, Hudaida.

The unrest followed weeks of nationwide protests calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to stand down. He has ruled the country for 32 years, but has signalled that he has no plans to leave immediately.
OHCHR also noted "worrying" reports of detention, harassment and expulsion of human rights defenders and journalists in Yemen.

The office called on the Government to halt the targeting of minorities, particularly the marginalized group commonly referred to as the "Akhdam."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and humanitarian chief Valerie Amos have also voiced their concern about the situation in Yemen, where the ongoing violence is worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis owing to protracted conflict in the north.

Ban called for a broad dialogue with the political opposition, youth groups and other elements of civil society leading to "bold" reforms in country.