Security Council draft statement on Yemen

1.  The Security Council welcomes President Hadi’s announcement of the launch of the National Dialogue Conference on 18 March and commends those that have engaged constructively in the preparatory stages of the process. The Security Council also welcomes the issuance of a decree regarding the formation of the Executive Bureau for the Mutual Accountability Framework. 

2.    The Security Council reiterates the need for the transitional period to be a Yemeni-led process, underpinned by a commitment to democracy, good governance, rule of law, national reconciliation and respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people in Yemen.

3.    The Security Council emphasises the need for the National Dialogue Conference to be conducted in an inclusive manner involving the full participation of all segments of Yemeni society, including representatives from the South and other regions, and the full and effective participation of youth and women, as stipulated in the final report of the Preparatory Committee. The Security Council calls upon all parties to honour the timetable and benchmarks set out in the transition agreement and for all sides to act in good faith, in a peaceful, transparent, constructive, and reconciliatory manner. The Security Council maintains its expectation that the National Dialogue Conference will lead to a constitutional referendum and elections by February 2014. 

4.    The Security Council urges all the parties in Yemen to adhere to resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation, reject acts of violence to achieve political goals, refrain from provocations, and fully abide by resolutions 2014 (2011) and 2051 (2012). The Security Council expresses concern over reports of interference in the transition by individuals in Yemen representing the former regime, the former opposition, and others who do not adhere to the guiding principles of the GCC transition agreement.  The Security Council notes, in particular, persistent allegations against Ali Abdullah Saleh, Ali Salim Al-Beidh, and certain individuals and groups that receive money and weapons from outside of Yemen for the purpose of undermining the transition.  The Security Councilreiterates its readiness to consider further measures, including under Article 41 of the UN Charter, if actions aimed at undermining the Government of National Unity and the political transition continue.

5.    The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen.

6.    The Security Council urges the Government of Yemen to urgently pass legislation on transitional justice. The Council further urges the need to respect rule of law and protect human rights, in accordance with Yemen’s international legal obligations, particularly those of women and people belonging to vulnerable groups, such as children. The Security Council welcomes in this regard the commitment by the Government to end the recruitment and use of children by the Yemeni security forces through the adoption and implementation of an Action Plan in line with resolution 1612 (2005).

7.    The Security Council remains closely engaged on the situation in Yemen and will continue to closely follow the next steps towards a peaceful political transition. In this regard it welcomes the continued efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council, “Group of Ten Ambassadors” as well as the wider diplomatic community in Sana’a, and in coordination with the latter, the Secretary General’s Good Offices, including through the Special Adviser Jamal Benomar, and the next Friends of Yemen meeting that will take place on 7 March in London. The Security Council underscores the need for continued international support for Yemen’s political transition, including through the fulfilment of commitments made by donors to support Yemen. 

Follow me on Twitter @NabilAbiSaab