[07/10/2026 06:47]

GENEVA-SABA

Minister of Human Rights Mishdal Omar met Wednesday with James Myers, the human rights officer at the U.S. Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, to discuss developments in Yemen’s human rights situation and ways to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the two countries.

The meeting focused on U.S. technical and institutional support to the Yemeni government under Item 10 of the UN Human Rights Council agenda, as well as strengthening national institutions’ capacity in human rights protection, monitoring and documentation, and supporting accountability efforts.

Minister Omar praised continued U.S. support for the Yemeni government and people at international forums. He outlined systematic violations and abuses committed by the Houthi militia against civilians, including the impact of its recent military escalation and attacks on residential areas with drones and ballistic missiles, which have endangered civilians and worsened internal displacement.

He also highlighted the Houthis’ continued recruitment of children and abduction of UN and international humanitarian workers, as well as threats to international shipping and global trade in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab with Iranian backing, warning of the resulting humanitarian and security consequences.

Omar reaffirmed the Yemeni government’s and the Presidential Leadership Council’s commitment to advancing transitional justice, protecting victims’ rights and strengthening national mechanisms, particularly the National Commission to Investigate Alleged Violations of Human Rights, to carry out its mandate.

Deputy Human Rights Minister Nabil Abdulhafeez outlined institutional projects and strategic plans being implemented by the ministry to develop field monitoring, documentation and analysis systems. He stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with the United States and other international partners to support these projects and build the capacities of national personnel, law enforcement agencies and the Public Prosecution Office to advance accountability.

For his part, Myers said the U.S. side was closely following developments in Yemen and reaffirmed Washington’s support for the legitimate Yemeni government and its efforts to strengthen the rule of law and protect human rights. He said coordination between the two sides would continue to address humanitarian and security challenges and support efforts to achieve lasting peace in Yemen.

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