GENEVE, 1. March 2011: FN højkommissær for Menneskerettigheder, Navi Pillay, advarer i en pressemeddelelse autoriteter i Yemen mod vold og undertrykkelse af fredelige protester. Hun opfordrer til at beskytte demonstranter og journalisters rettigheder.
Noting reports that opposition protestors have called for a “Day of Anger” today, the High Commissioner urged all parties to exercise restraint and to respect the right to life and the freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.
“People have the legitimate right to express their grievances and demands to their Government,” she said, denouncing previous violence against protestors in Yemen which have resulted in a number of deaths and injuries.
“We have seen over and over again in the past few weeks that violent responses, in breach of international law, do not make the protestors go away and only serve to exacerbate their frustration and anger,” Pillay added.
The High Commissioner also cited reports of attacks, intimidation and harassment against local and international journalists covering the protests. She was particularly concerned about reports of enforced disappearances of political activists.
“The authorities must release all individuals arrested for demonstrating peacefully, and human rights defenders and journalists must be protected as they carry out their important work,” she said.
“Those who are responsible for public security must understand that their actions are governed by international law and they can be held personally accountable for breaches.”
Pillay also called on the opposition protestors not to resort to violence and called for a meaningful, broad and inclusive dialogue in Yemen.
“Across the Middle East and North Africa, people have been taking their governments to task. The only way forward is to listen to them and grant them their due rights to participate in the decisions that deeply affect their lives,” she said.
