Weekly Bulletin. Dep. PM meets UN humanitarian, security and safety delegation

Transcription

1 النشــرة األســبوعية By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh 3 VP, FMdiscuss arrangements for Geneva consultations 4 Prime Minister receives head, members of NCIHRVA 6 FM, UN Envoy discuss preparations for talks round Hadi orders govt to restore food and services supply stability 7 Dep. PM meets UN humanitarian, security and safety delegation 13 Issue YHRP Coordinating Council convenes at KSrelief headquarters in Riyadh e By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh Issue (37 ) 26 Dhu Al-Hijjah 26 Dhu Al-Hijjah 1439 H - 6 September 2018 AD1439 H - 9 September 2018 AD 37 1

2 Hadi orders govt to restore food and services supply stability President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi has ordered the government to take effective and urgent measures to restore the stability of food and services supply following this week s further devaluation of the Riyal from 550 to 600 against the US dollar and the soar of prices of basic commodities. In a meeting of the national Hadi heads to US for medical checkups, UN General Assembly meeting President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi headed on Sunday evening to the United States where he will undergo routine annual medical checkups and then will participate in the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in New Economic Committee attended also by the Vice President and Prime Minister on Sunday evening, Hadi called for resuming oil and liquefied natural gas exports to bring in hard currency, an efficient collection of taxes, spending cuts and pay rise for civil servicemen among other measures to tackle the situation. 2 e By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh York. We know the magnitude of the challenges, the economic impact of the Houthi militia s unrelenting war on the nation and confiscation of foreign cash reserves to finance the war. Nevertheless, we are not absolved from stepping up efforts to take tackling measures and start building a new economy right from scratch, he said. Hadi will deliver Yemen s speech and make sideline meetings with the heads of delegations of a number of countries participating in the session.

3 VP. inspects activities of youth, social Vice President Ali Mohsen Saleh discussed with Ministers of Youth and Sports Nayef al- Bakri and Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr. Ibtihaj al-kamal activities of the two miniseries currently and activating offices of the two ministries in provinces. Vice President praised efforts of the two ministries, stressing doubling efforts for regaining Vice President Lt. Gen. Ali Mohsen Salehand Foreign Minister Khaled Alyemany discussed in a meeting today the arrangements for peace consultations between the government and the Houthi rebels scheduled to be held in September 6 in Geneva. Alyemany is the head of the government s delegation to thecoming consultations. affairs ministries their tasks to be reflected positively on the ground. He also praised efforts of the government for regaining the state and sacrifices made by the Yemeni people with support from their brothers in the Arab Coalition for realizing security and stability in Yemen and the region. He confirmed president s keenness on realizing peace, pointing to president s directives to the government and Economic Committee to take necessary measures for limiting dropout of the currency and national economy. The two ministers provided two reports on the performance of their ministries and exerted efforts for regaining donations and aid provided by brothers and friends. VP, FMdiscuss arrangements for Geneva consultations The Vice President affirmed that the government is entering peace talks for the fourth timein good faith, giving precedence to the interest of the Yemeni people over all other considerations. He expressed his hope that the Houthimilitants will,likewise,give precedence to the interests of the Yemeni who have endured an unprecedented suffering as a result of the Houthi coup in e By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh 3

4 VP says High Commissioner s report covers up Houthi crimes Vice President Lt. Gen. Ali Mohsen Saleh said that the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on human rights abuses covered up the atrocities the Houthi militia had been exercising over the past years. In a meeting with the acting British ambassador to Yemen in Riyadh on Sunday, Ali Mohsen said the recently released report which contains the findings of the UNHRC s Group of Eminent Expertsclearly reflected the views of the Houthi militia by attributing the crimes the militia had been committing to the government and the Arab Coalition. Ali Mohsen pointed that the Yemeni people are suffering a compounded daily pain as a result of the economic collapse which resulted from the Houthi coup and war. He called on the friendly countries of the world to support the Yemeni economy. He renewed the government s call for a political lasting solution based on the GCC Initiative, the outcomes of the National Dialogue and the UN Security Council resolutions mainly resolution no (2015). Prime Minister receives head, members of NCIHRVA Prime Minister Dr. Ahmad Obeid Bin-Daghr received on Wednesday the Head and Members of the National Committee for Investigating Human Rights Violations Allegations in Yemen (NCIHRVA) and discussed with them the fifth report of the committee. He highlighted the content of the report, which has become a controversial subject before the public opinion as includes accurate and inclusive documentation of violations. He pointed out that the report represents right documentation released by a state body and is a reference to researchers and monitors of the right and humanitarian regional and international organizations. He confirmed that the government will provide necessary support to facilitate activities of the committee s members for monitoring violations. He directed the government to implement recommendations of the committee. For his part, the Head of the Committee touched upon allegations of human rights violations included in the report. The fifth report included results of investigating 30 types of violations violating the International Humanitarian Law and the International Law for Human Rights committed by both parties of the conflict in different provinces of the republic, he said. He pointed to challenges and difficulties faced the team of the committee and means taken by the committee for ensuring proceeding with its activities independently and honestly and included all violations. 4 e By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh

5 Cabinet sets forth measures to stop Riyal depreciation The Cabinet has set forth a set of measures to stop the depreciation of the national currency, days after the Riyal made a new plummet to 600 versus the US dollar down from 550 a month ago. In a meeting with the country s Economic Committee in Aden on Tuesday, the Cabinet decided to rehabilitate and reinforce the fleet of the national airline, Yemenia, to facilitate the return of Yemeni businessmen back to the country, vitalize the revenuegenerating institutions and projects including the oil and gas exportation projects, revitalize the work of the national committee for clampdown on money laundering, cut spending on Yemen s diplomatic missions, end speculation with local currency, use the World Bank facilities for covering the finance of some imports, and use all political and military means to force the Houthi militia to transfer the revenues under their control to the country s central bank. The Cabinet noted the Houthi militia has imposed a de facto governance in some parts of Yemen, without paying the salaries of civil servicemen in those areas. The Chairman of the Economic Committee Hafedh Miayad affirmed that the tackling measures will only be effective by coordination between the government and the Saudiled Arab Coalition to subject all the country s imports to the financial and banking regulations that will soon be approved. He said that his committee will work toward limiting speculation with the local currency and restoring the markets sense of assurance lost due to the dramatic devaluation of the Riyal. The Cabinet also discussed the preparations for peace talks between the government and the rebels in Geneva expected to start in September 6. e By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh 5

6 FM, UN Envoy discuss preparations for talks round Minister of Foreign Affairs Khaled al-yemany discussed on Sunday with the UN Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffith final preparations for peace talks round scheduled on the sixth of this September in Geneva. The two parties agreed on going to the talks with sincere intentions for reaching understandings for building confidence, which will contribute in alleviating the crisis facing the Yemeni people and will give Yemenis hope of getting rid of suffering and live peacefully. Minister al-yemany renewed keenness of the political leadership on finding a wayout to this crisis triggered by coupists, who overthrew the state and dragged the country into war s dilemma. He confirmed that the government of Yemen will deal positively with all initiatives of releasing prisoners and detainees and paying salaries of the government s employees. For his part, the UN envoy reviewed some of thoughts associated with the talks points and preparations for holding the round. He expressed hope of accomplishing progress, especially under complicating humanitarian situations suffered by the Yemeni people, which require integration of all efforts for regaining the state and realizing peace and security across Yemen. Al-Maisari directs forming committee for installing 40 MW power plant in Abyan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Ahmad al- Maisari has directed of forming a committee from Electricity Ministry s leaders and its branches in Abyan for preparing a complete study for installing 30- MW plant in Abyan and 10- MW in the central area. In his meeting with Governor of Abyan Brigadier Abu Bakr Hussein on Monday and attended by Deputy Minister of Electricity Mubarak al- Tamimi, al-maisari discussed situations of the electricity in the province. Al-Maisari confirmed interest of the government of development projects in the province, which suffered from catastrophes of war in the past, pointing out that the government enlists in its priorities solutions of problems surfaced recently in some areas of the province. Governor Hussein talked about suffering of the people over continuous power blackouts across the districts of the province, mainly the central area, where electricity current has been cut fully during the past weeks. He reviewed most important challenges facing the command of electricity in the province and possible solutions. 6 e By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh

7 Deputy Premier, the Minister of Interior Eng. Ahmed Al-Maysari met with a UN delegation for humanitarian, security and safety affairs in the temporary capital Aden on Tuesday. Al-Maysari, along with the Deputy Interior Minister Ali Nasser Lakhshaa, received the Director of the Office of Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations, André Reykjia and Office s Director of Security and Safety Affairs Victor Kubian and discussed with them the provision of UN support to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the war, especially the displaced people. Al-Maysari pointed out that the Houthi militia has practiced various violations against civilians including imposing sieges, using civilians as human shields, starving and arresting people and forcible Dep. PM meets UN humanitarian, security and safety delegation recruitment of children to the battlefields. The UN officials discussed opening a UN office in Aden and reinforcing protection for the current office. Al-Maysari said that the political leadership represented by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the government attache great importance to the UN offices. Despite all the exceptional circumstances in the country, we will do everything necessary to secure and protect the UN office in Aden. We will work to overcome the difficulties facing the office s personnel who help alleviate the suffering of the people displaced by the Houthi militia, he said. Fatah, WFP director discuss WFP s projects in Yemen Yemen s Minister of Local Administration, the chairman of the national Higher Relief Aid Committee, Abdulraqeeb Fatah, discussed with the WFP Country Director Stephen L. Anderson and his accompanying delegation, the humanitarian situation in Yemen and the WFP s projects and work plan for the remainder of this year. They also discussed the importance of preparing projects that support the government s plan to enhance stability in the different governorates; the special plan to expedite the delivery of relief aid to the people of Hodeidah, Taiz and Beidha; expanding the livelihood support program currently being implemented in Aden to the rest of the government-held provinces; setting up WFP warehouses IN Socotra; and increasing the food rations for the internally displaced people. Fatah praised the great humanitarian role the WFP plays in Yemen in coordination with the Higher Relief Aid Committee. e By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh 7

8 Askar, Gargash discuss coordinating human rights efforts Minister of Human Rights Mohammad Askar discussed with UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash cooperation and coordination in human rights field. Askar reviewed humanitarian situations in Yemen in general and situations in Hodeida Province in particular, pointing to severe violations of Human Rights Law committed by Houthi militia against civilians. He praised the greatest role played by the UAE under the Saudi-led Coalition and relief support and continuous assistances to Yemeni people, as well as sacrifices made by UAE soldiers in ground battles on Yemeni soil. For his part, Gargash confirmed his country s support to the legality in Yemen under President Hadi and to the government and Yemeni people against Iran-backed Houthi militia. Minister Al-Saadi South Korean Ambassador discuss bilateeal cooperation Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Mohammed Al-Saadi, discussed with the South Korean Ambassador to Yemen PAK Woongchu the international cooperation and the relations between the two countries. The talks also went over re-activating an agreement of loans whereby Yemen used to borrow financial amounts from South Korea for implementing development projects. Al-Saadi appreciated the continued support provided by South Korea to Yemen, especially the food assistance. The ambassador expressed South Korea s continued support for Yemen, stressing the importance of supporting Yemen s stabilization and development. 8 e By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh

9 Yemen, US discuss improving Yemeni Coast Guards, Special Forces The Chief of General Staff Brigadier General Taher al- Oqaili discussed with the Commander of the US Central Command Joseph Votel on Wednesday improving Yemeni Coast Guard Forces, Marine Forces and Special Forces for facing threats of terrorist Houthi militia and smuggling. The meeting discussed recent developments in Yemen and efforts of the government of Yemen for regaining the state and eradicating Iran-backed Houthi militia s coup on the state. Al-Oqaili confirmed the political leadership under President Hadi is determined to restore all areas left under Hothi rebel militia whatever sacrifices are with support from the Saudi-led Coalition. He also confirmed that Yemen will not be a launching bad for terrorist groups, rather an active part in realizing international peace and security. Zayyani, UN envoy discuss preparations for Geneva Talks The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Dr. Abdullatif al-zayyani discussed on Sunday with the UN Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffith efforts for resuming political talks to be held in Geneva this September,6. He hoped success of this round of talks for reaching a political solution in Yemen in accordance with the GCC Initiative, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and the UN Resolution Al-Zayyani renewed support of the council to efforts of the UN envoy in this regard, according to Saudi News Agency (WAS). e By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh 9

10 National enquiry commission finds 4368 abuse claims, says vice chairperson The National Commission for Enquiry into human rights abuses over the course of the Houthiwar in Yemen has found 4368 claims of human rights abuses in the period from February 1, 2018 to July 31, In a press conference the Commission held in Aden on Monday to release its fifth periodical report, the Commission s vice chairperson Hussein al-mashdali said the Commission s 36 fact finders who were deployed across Yemen heard from 3800 eyewitnesses and reporters, referred to and kept a record of 5700 abuse suggesting records, and fully verified 1900 abuse claims. As for the verification results, the Commission found 939 civilian casualties, committed by both warring parties. The report said the Commission found 58 cases of child soldier recruitment and 94 cases of landmine planting committed by the Houthiarmed group. The landmines, antipersonnel and anti-vehicle, resulted in killing 61civilians and wounding 79 others. The Commission found documented allegations of 19 attacks on historical and cultural sites, four attacks on health workers and facilities, and forced displacement of 864 people constituting 142 families. Of the 70 alleged extrajudicial killing, the Commission authenticated 51 cases. It also authenticated 355 arbitrary arrests and forced disappearances, 19 cases of torture and inhumane treatment, 21 deliberate bombing of houses, and five US drone attacks on civilians. Aden local authority, private sector approve measures to stabilize prices A joint meeting between the local authorities and the private sector of Aden on Wednesday has approving a set of measures to stabilize the prices of basic commodities and the exchange rate of the Yemeni Riyal against the US dollar as set earlier by the country s central bank. The meetingbrought together the acting governor of Aden Ahmed Salmin, the deputy governors, members of the Chamber of Commerce, the ministry of industry and trade, and a number of 10 e By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh money exchangers. The meeting decided to stabilize the exchange rate of YR 497 versus the US dollar and to cover the finance of importing staple commodities through opening the central bank sletters of credit to all traders without exception. It also approved the suspension of all unlicensed money exchange businessesand the referral of commodity price manipulators to the Public Prosecution.

11 The local authority of Marib has discussed efforts to improve hospitality in the provinces to offer quality lodging and services for internally displaced people and tourists. Presiding over a meeting with the owners of hotels and tourist facilities in the province local police and tourist departments on Tuesday, Marib s Deputy Governor Abd- RabbuMiftahstressed the importance of reviewing and unifying the price of hotel rooms in a manner that takes the interests of both thehotels Marib local authority discusses improving hospitality and tourism and customers into account. He also called for publicizing the prices of services. Over last two years, Marib has become a safe haven to which an increasing number of Yemenis are fleeing from the Houthirebels crackdown and coming for investment. Socotra local authority, dignitaries discuss solutions to province s issues Governor of Socotra Archipelago Ramzi Mahrous has confirmed keenness of local authority on meeting with social figures and dignitaries of the province for tackling the province s issues and solving all problems in the archipelago. In the consultative meeting organized by Socotra s dignitaries with local authority on Monday for addressing the province s situations, Governor Mahrous highlighted the role of the social figures to boost the role of the local authority for improving development and stability in the province. The dignitaries valued effort of the local authority for improving the development of the province. e By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh 11

12 Arab Coalition rejects Eminent Experts report on Yemen, says Maliki The spokesman of the Arab Coalition Col. Turki al-maliki said the command of the Coalition s combined forces rejects the report of theeminent Expertsof the UN Human Rights Council on Yemen abuses for this report contained a lot of falsifications and inaccuracies. In a press conference in Riyadh on Monday night, he said that a response to the report is being prepared by the Coalition s legal department. He said that the Coalition s Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT)had already announced the results of investigations into the alleged recent attack on civilians in Saada. He said that the Coalition s command expresses its regret and sympathies and condoles the relatives of the victims. The command accepts the results of JIAT s investigations which stated that the military target was legitimate and the procedures that will be followed. He said that the Houthi militia fired three ballistic missiles toward the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the period from August 17, 2018 to September 3, Since the start of the war, the militia have fired 185 missiles and projectiles toward the kingdom. Arab Coalition refers result of one targeting operation to investigation The spokesperson of the Arab Coalition backing Yemen s internationally recognized government Col. Turki Al-Malki said that the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition has referred one of the results of a targeting operation in Yemen to the Coalition s Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) to assess the possibility of a collateral damage. The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition has completed its After Action Review of conducted operations within the area of operations for Thursday, August 23, According to the results of the comprehensive review, operational vetting and what was stated by the executers of said operation, that there might have been collateral damage and civilian casualties during targeting members of the terrorist Iranian-Houthi militia in Ad Durayhimi Directorate, Hodeida, Yemen, all documents relating to this incident have been handed over to JIAT pending assessment and announcement of results. Col. Al-Malki was quoted by the Saudi Press Agency as saying. The official Spokesman reaffirmed the commitment of the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to applying the highest standards of targeting, and principles of the International Humanitarian Law and its Customary Rules, as well as taking all necessary procedures in case of an incident, God forbid, to achieve the highest levels of responsibility and transparency. 12 e By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh

13 YHRP Coordinating Council convenes at KSrelief headquarters in Riyadh The Coordinating Council following up on the Saudi- Emirati financial contribution to the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plan (YHRP) for 2018 held its 2nd session at the headquarters of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) in Riyadh on Tuesday. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the participants in the meeting included KSrelief Assistant Supervisor General for Operations and Programs Ahmed Al-Beez; Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Development for Development Affairs in the United Arab Emirates Sultan bin Mohammed Al Shamsi; World Food Program (WFP) Representative and Country Director in Yemen Stephen Anderson; Director of WFP Office for GCC Mr. Abdul Majid Al-Yahiya; Representative of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Regional Foreign Affairs Relationships Chief Ahmed Mohsen; Representative for UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) at KSrelief, Jayne Mbakaya and WFP Representative Izumi Conway; and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Liz Grande; WHO representative in Yemen Dr. Nuevo Zaghari and Representatives from UN agencies (participated via remote-communication(. The meeting discussed the developments of the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plan in Yemen in On the occasion, Eng. Ahmed Al-Beez said that the meeting came to follow up and evaluate the achievements of the programs and projects of the Saudi-UAE grant to Yemen amounting to $ 930 million, provided in response to the largest appeal launched by humanitarian agencies to Yemen. WFP Office Director for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States, Abdul Majid Yahiya, said in a press statement that he was pleased with his first visit to KSrelief, pointing out that the increased Saudi-Emirati support to the UN agencies especially the WFP will help us increase food assistance to an extra nine million people this year. For more information Please visit our website e By Information Attache of the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh 13