UPR of Yemen
18th Session of the Universal Periodic Review
Delivered by Peter Mulrean
Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., U.S. Mission
January 29, 2014
The United States welcomes the delegation of Yemen to the UPR Working Group.
We commend Yemen for its progress in the political transition and look forward to the implementation of the National Dialogue recommendations as well as continued progress toward subsequent transition benchmarks. We encourage Yemen to ensure that subsequent steps in the process remain open, transparent, and inclusive. We also welcome the ongoing implementation of the “20+11” confidence-building measures.
We also note the robust representation of women and youth in the National Dialogue Conference. We encourage Yemen to continue its efforts to ensure that women and youth remain empowered and engaged in subsequent steps of the transition and are able to participate in public life, free of discrimination and violence.
However, we remain concerned about: cases of gender-based violence; violence and harassment against journalists; continued recruitment and use of children by armed groups; and the detention of some imprisoned for their participation in the events of 2011 by the former regime.
Bearing these in mind, we recommend that Yemen:
- Continue to strengthen the rule of law through the ongoing political transition, including by ensuring greater effectiveness and transparency in the judicial system;
- Bolster the investigation of cases of gender-based violence and violence against journalists;
- Continue activities to protect and promote the rights of children by taking steps – such as implementing the Action Plan on Child Soldiers – to eliminate the unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers.
Thank you.