New Action Plan for the Protection of Children in Yemen

19-04-2022

Myrthe Niemeijer

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence 

On 18 April, the Houthis in Yemen signed an Action Plan with the UN to protect the children affected by the armed conflict. The Plan is aimed to “prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict; the killing and maiming of children; and attacks on schools and hospitals” (United Nations Human Rights, 2022, para. 1). 

The UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) Virginia Gamba has praised the plan as an ‘encouraging step’ towards the end of grave violations against children. Indeed, the primary parties to the armed conflict in Yemen have, through the Plan, committed to this pursuit. Nevertheless, Ms Gamba emphasised that full implementation of the Action Plan is needed to ensure the improvement of the protection of Yemeni children. 

The Plan forms the hopeful start of peace negotiations toward addressing Yemen’s humanitarian needs as well as rebuilding the economy and political process. 

Sources and further reading: 

United Nations Human Rights, ‘Yemen: New Houthi commitment ‘encouraging step’ to protecting children’ (UN News, 18 April 2022) <https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/04/1116402> accessed 19 april 2022