ٍSecurity Council's Presidential Statement on Yemen

Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2201 (15 February 2015) demanding that the Houdhis unconditionally and immediately withdraw their forces from government institutions, including in the capital Sana'a, and normalize the security situation in the capital and other provinces, and relinquish government and security institutions. UN Photo

Statement by the President of the Security Council

At the --------th meeting of the Security Council, held on ---- 2015, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “The situation in the Middle East”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council recalls its resolutions 2014 (2011), 2051 (2012), 2140 (2014), 2201 (2015), and 2204 (2015) and presidential statements of 15 February 2013 and 29 August 2014.

“The Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen, and its commitment to stand by the people of Yemen. 

“The Security Council reiterates its support for the efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council and commends its engagement in assisting the political transition in Yemen. 

“The Security Council supports the legitimacy of the President of Yemen, Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi, and calls upon all parties and Member States to refrain from taking any actions that undermine the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen, and the legitimacy of the President of Yemen. 

“The Security Council reaffirms its full support for, and commitment to, the efforts of the Special Advisor of the Secretary-General on Yemen, Mr. Jamal Benomar, and to the UN-brokered negotiations.

“The Security Council condemns the ongoing unilateral actions taken by the Houthis, which undermine the political transition process in Yemen, and jeopardize the security, stability, sovereignty and unity of Yemen and expresses deep concern by the insufficient implementation of resolution 2201 (2015). 

“The Security Council deplores that the Houthis have not implemented its demands in resolution 2201 (2015) to withdraw their forces from government institutions, including in the capital Sana’a, and normalize the security situation in the capital and other provinces, and relinquish government and security institutions. 

“The Security Council expresses serious concern over continued arbitrary detention, by all parties, in particular by Houthis, contrary to resolution 2201 (2015), and reiterates its demand for the unconditional and safe release of all persons arbitrarily detained. 

“The Security Council welcomes that the Prime Minister Khalid Bahah and other members of the Cabinet are no longer under the house arrest imposed by the Houthis. 

“The Security Council urges non-state actors to withdraw from government institutions, including in the south of Yemen, and to refrain from any attempt to take over such institutions. 

“The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the airstrikes against the Presidential Palace in Aden and attacks at Aden International airport. The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the horrific 20 March bomb attacks at the two mosques in Sana’a and in Saada, Yemen, which killed at least 126 and injured many more. The Security Council urges all sides to refrain from any further use of military force, any offensive military actions and other uses of violence.

“The Security Council reiterates its call urging all parties to agree upon and announce publicly dates for completing the constitutional consultation process, to hold a referendum on the constitution, and to conduct elections under the new electoral law pursuant to the new constitution and in this regard demands that the parties take all actions conducive to this process, including by the full implementation of resolution 2201. [OP6 Res 2201]

“The Security Council reiterates its concern at the ability of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula to benefit from the deterioration of the political and security situation in Yemen, mindful that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed. 

“The Security Council reiterates that the solution to the situation in Yemen is through a peaceful, inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led political transition process that meets the legitimate demands and aspirations of the Yemeni people for peaceful change and meaningful political, economic and social reform, as set out in the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, the Peace and National Partnership Agreement and its security annex. 

“The Security Council strongly calls upon all parties, in particular the Houthis, to abide by the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue conference, and the Peace and National Partnership Agreement and its security annex and the relevant Security Council resolutions and to accelerate inclusive United Nations-brokered negotiations, including on issues relating to governance, to continue the political transition in order to reach a consensus solution and stresses the importance of full implementation of agreements reached and commitments made towards that goal. 

“The Security Council emphasizes its call for all parties in Yemen, including the Houthis, government officials, leaders of political parties and movements, and members of so-called “popular committees”, to adhere to resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation, reject acts of violence to achieve political goals, and refrain from provocation and all unilateral actions to undermine the political transition.  The Security Council stresses that all parties should take concrete steps to agree and implement a consensus-based political solution to Yemen’s crisis in accordance with the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue conference, and the Peace and National Partnership Agreement and its security annex.

“The Security Council welcomes the intention of the President of Yemen, Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi, to engage in good faith in the UN-brokered negotiations. 

“The Security Council welcomes the intention of the Gulf Cooperation Council to convene a conference in Riyadh, upon the request of the President of Yemen, with the participation of all Yemeni parties to further support the political transition in Yemen, and to complement and support the UN-brokered negotiations.

“The Security Council reiterates the importance of all parties allowing all Yemenis to assemble peacefully without fear of attack, injury, arrest, or retaliation. 

“The Security Council calls on all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, including applicable international humanitarian law and human rights law. 

“The Security Council reiterates its demand that all parties in Yemen cease all armed hostilities against the people and the legitimate authorities of Yemen and relinquish the arms seized from Yemen’s military and security institutions, in accordance with the Peace and National Partnership Agreement and its security annex. 

“The Security Council also urges all parties to facilitate safe and unhindered access for humanitarian actors to reach people in need of humanitarian assistance. It also reaffirms the need for all parties to ensure the safety of civilians, including those receiving assistance as well as the need to ensure the security of humanitarian personnel and United Nations and its associated personnel.

“The Security Council notes with appreciation the work of the Special Advisor of the Secretary-General on Yemen, Jamal Benomar and  stresses the importance of the United Nations’ close co-ordination with international partners, including the Gulf Cooperation Council, Group of Ambassadors in Sana’a, and other actors, in order to contribute to the successful transition. 

“The Security Council calls on all member States to refrain from external interference which seeks to foment conflict and instability and instead to support the political transition. 

“The Security Council demands that all parties fully implement all Council resolutions on Yemen, including resolution 2201 (2015). 

“The Security Council reaffirms its readiness to take further measures against any party in case of non-implementation of its resolutions on Yemen, in particular its resolution 2201.” 

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