I thank the briefers for their valuable information.
Special Envoy Grundberg, we fully support your efforts and are anxiousto see tangible results.
War has ravaged Yemen for seven long years, causing massive casualties and destruction, still with no end in sight. Civilians have suffered the most, especially women and children. The economy has collapsed and as we heard from Mr. Rajasingham, the humanitarian situation is disastrous. This must stop.
Madam President,
The road to peace in Yemen is not and cannot be a bloody, protracted war. Conflicts only prolong pain and suffering, mostly, as always, by civilians.
We are particularly concerned regarding the situation of women and girls in Yemen. Women human rights defenders, advocates for gender equality, journalists and other civil society representatives are facing increased threats and risks, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and even targeted killings. This cannot be tolerated.
Thank you, Madam President, for placing special focus on WPS as per our joint commitments on today’s meeting; and thank you Special Envoy Grundberg for providing due attention to women inclusion and participation in your work.
What Yemen and Yemeni people desperately need is an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire. Violence and destruction will lead nowhere. The Council has the authority and the power to be loud and clear on this.
We call on all parties to end hostilities, in line with resolution 2532 (2020), return to negotiations and resume meaningful peace talks with the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women, youth and civil society.
Albania supports the Special Envoy in its mission to reach out to the different parties in conflict and other stakeholder, in order find a path towards a meaningful and inclusive roadmap – for a serious, sustained, and structured process. Efforts to regularly and transparently consult with civil society, especially women’s groups, are highly appreciated and we were heartened to listen today to Ms Alaghbary.
Mme President,
Albania condemns all actions that prevent the Special Envoy from moving this vital political process forward. Detention of UN personnel is unacceptable and we and ask for their immediate release. We demand the same for the detained Yemeni citizens who have worked for the US Embassy in Sana. We condemn any impediments to the delivery of humanitarian aid and restriction on humanitarian workers.
We strongly condemn cross-border attacks on civilian infrastructure into Saudi Arabia – which have increased as the Special Envoy highlighted – and we demand strict observance of international humanitarian law and protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure at all times.
As we speak, a UAE-flagged civilian cargo vessel, intercepted while in international waters, is illegally detained by the Huthi militias, an act of piracy and in total breach of International law and freedom of navigation. We call for the immediate release of the vessel and its crew.
Mme President,
Albania supports all efforts that lead towards national reconciliation, reunification, and reconstruction.
We believe that for peace to prevail and be lasting, it must reflect the will and aspirations of all Yemeni people. It requires a democratic setting and institutions that uphold the rule of law and human rights, especially the rights of women and children.
Finally, Mme President, Albania urges all parties to support a political process that leads to the full realisation of all rights for all people in Yemen, without regard for religion, gender, or ethnicity. We formulate the wish that soon necessary conditions will be created so that everyone in Yemen starts thinking of life and not continue deploring catastrophe.
Thank you
