UN Condemns Houthi Violations Against Yemen’s Children

 In this July 27, 2018, photo, children sit at a camp for displaced persons where they took shelter, in Marib, Yemen (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)
In this July 27, 2018, photo, children sit at a camp for displaced persons where they took shelter, in Marib, Yemen (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)
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UN Condemns Houthi Violations Against Yemen’s Children

 In this July 27, 2018, photo, children sit at a camp for displaced persons where they took shelter, in Marib, Yemen (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)
In this July 27, 2018, photo, children sit at a camp for displaced persons where they took shelter, in Marib, Yemen (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen signed Monday in Riyadh a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations to strengthen the protection of children affected by the armed conflict in Yemen.

Virginia Gamba, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, who signed the memorandum on behalf of the UN, condemned Houthis for being involved in grave violations against children and for doing nothing to protect them.

She said the annual report issued by her office to the UN Security Council contains important figures over the past years, where no action to protect children has been taken, stressing that due to their grave violations, including murder and child-recruitment, Houthis were put on list A of the report.

Gamba affirmed that this MoU is the first of its kind around the world.

“Now, we seek to exert great efforts over the next two months. We will jointly establish limited activities over a long term, including a joint training and spreading knowledge about the child protection,” she said.

The UN official added she is convinced that the coalition led by Saudi Arabia will play a significant role in serving the great purpose of keeping children away from the armed conflict.

Prince Lieutenant General Fahd Bin Turki Bin Abdulaziz affirmed his hopes of close cooperation in regards to this memorandum with the United Nations, especially that it serves a “noble cause” that “we should always aim to implement and improve.”

For his part, the permanent representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdallah AlMoullimi, who attended the ceremony, said that his country is working on bringing attention on the Houthi violations and to uncover Iran’s interferences in Yemen.

Meanwhile, officials from the legitimate government in Yemen praised Operations Determination Storm and Renewal of Hope, kicked off by Saudi Arabia four years ago to support Yemenis against the Houthi coup.

Yemen's Vice President Ali Mohsen Saleh said the Decisive Storm was a historical Arab decision that won over the Houthi Iranian sectarian agenda.

He made the remarks in a statement to Saba referring to the military operation launched by Saudi-led Arab Coalition against the rebel militia in March 2015.

Meanwhile in Aden, Prime Minister Ma'een Abdulmalik met Monday with head of the European Union's Delegation in Yemen Antonia Calvo and discussed the political, economic and security developments in Yemen.

Abdulmalik stressed the necessity of implementing the UN-sponsored Stockholm Agreement and forcing Houthi militia to withdraw from the city of Hodeidah and its ports soon as stipulated by the redeployment plan.

He also called on the International Community to exert more pressure on Houthis who failed to show seriousness on implementing the agreement after passing more than 100 days on declaring it.



Arab League Urges Global Efforts to Build a Safer Future for Generations

File photo of a previous meeting of the Arab League (Asharq Al-Awsat)
File photo of a previous meeting of the Arab League (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Arab League Urges Global Efforts to Build a Safer Future for Generations

File photo of a previous meeting of the Arab League (Asharq Al-Awsat)
File photo of a previous meeting of the Arab League (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Arab League has called for urgent action to create a safer world for future generations, stressing the need to protect vulnerable groups, including migrants, and strengthen their resilience.
In a statement issued on Wednesday to mark International Migrants Day, observed annually on December 18, the Arab League emphasized the importance of maximizing migrants' contributions to sustainable development in both host and origin countries.

It also underscored the need to combat racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and all forms of discrimination to foster social cohesion and cultural dialogue, adding that these objectives align with global frameworks such as the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and the Pact for the Future.
The statement referenced initiatives led by Bahrain, as outlined in the declaration of the 33rd Arab Summit held on May 16, 2024.

These initiatives include providing educational services to those affected by regional conflicts, particularly those deprived of formal education due to security challenges, displacement, and migration. The initiatives also aim to improve healthcare for conflict-affected populations.
Highlighting the ongoing global crises, the General Secretariat of the Arab League noted that instability, poverty, underdevelopment, and climate change are driving unprecedented migration flows. "Millions of migrants face an uncertain and unpredictable future due to wars, armed conflicts, poverty, and climate challenges. This reality underscores the urgent need to address the root causes of instability to prevent future generations from undertaking dangerous journeys in search of safety and opportunity," the statement said.
The Arab League called for sustainable solutions that balance immediate humanitarian assistance with long-term development strategies. It stressed the importance of promoting sustainability based on the interests of future generations, ensuring a comprehensive approach that addresses conflict, violence, and poverty while fostering global cooperation.