Yemeni Human Rights Minister Ahmed Orman asserted that international organizations do not have access to areas controlled by Houthi militias in Yemen. They have also been denied visits to detention centers established by the Iran-backed group.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Orman said that some organizations and researchers have rivalries with member states of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition which backs the internationally recognized government in Yemen.
He went on to criticize these organizations for overlooking the violations committed by Houthis and pledged to work to correct this imbalance.
Orman, citing his capacity as human rights minister, vowed to reinforce the institutional building and support the rehabilitation of state agencies and the rule of law.
“There is a weakness in exposing Houthi violations at international forums or before relevant organizations. This is not only exclusively linked to the ministry of human rights, but also relates to the other state bodies and institutions,” Orman noted.
When asked about some international bodies overlooking Houthi violations, the minister said that their motives are likely political.
He explained that some agencies have spats with Arab Coalition states and are using Yemen to settle scores.
“We will work hard to address this issue, and if these parties have problems with one of the coalition countries backing the Yemeni government, they should not affect the Yemeni file,” Orman said.
The minister pointed out the Houthi human rights violations are graver than those being reported to have been allegedly committed by pro-government forces.
“They are incomparable,” he stressed, adding that Houthis are involved in recruiting child soldiers, planting mines, torture, arbitrary detentions.
Orman also identified a major issue disrupting the work of international humanitarian groups in Yemen.
“Some researchers are influenced by regional geopolitics and are pushing foreign agendas looking to settle scores with Arab Coalition member states,” Orman revealed.
