Smoke fills the sky above the Yemeni capital Sana’a after a series of airstrikes (12 May). Photo: Almigdad Mojalli/IRIN
In a statement issued this afternoon, the UN spokesperson relayed the Secretary-General’s call for a full investigation into the incident and for those responsible to be held to account.
“International humanitarian law requires protection by all parties of civilians and civilian facilities, including UN staff and UN premises. The inviolability of UN premises and the important work of all United Nations staff must be respected at all times,” the statement confirmed. “Ensuring accountability is indispensable in preventing such incidents.”
As a result of the airstrikes conducted on 28 June by Coalition forces, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) office was severely damaged and a guard working for the Organization injured.
According to the statement, Mr. Ban “strongly believes” the incident only underscores the imperative that all the parties to the conflict must end the fighting and return to the negotiation table “as the only possible way to achieve a durable peace in Yemen.”
The Secretary-General’s appeal comes on the heels of last week’s Security Council press statement in which the members also “strongly condemned” all violence used to intimidate and interrupt Yemeni stakeholders participating in UN-brokered consultations aimed at finding a political solution to the crisis.
Source: www.un.org
