99 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law Challenges in Yemen Abstr Act t he objective of this article is to identify the human rights vio- lations that have occurred during the 8-year-long war in Yemen. t he basis for this analysis is the 2021 r eport, which is the latest official report on Yemen given the ongoing turbulent events in the region. t he introduction of the article will underscore the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human r ights. t he central section will delve into an analysis of human rights viola- tions through case studies. In the conclusion, potential solutions will be proposed to address the crisis in Yemen. t he primary research question guiding this study is: Which human rights have been violated in Yemen? Key words : Yemen, violation of human rights, Universal Decla- ration of Human r ights. Izzivi prava človekovih pravic v Jemnu Povzetek Namen tega članka je opredeliti katere človekove pravice so kršene v Jemnu v 8 let trajajoči vojni. ker je dogajanje v Jemnu zelo turbulentno, bo članek temeljil na poročilu iz leta 2021, ki je zadnje uradno poročilo o Jemnu. v uvodnem delu članka bo opredeljena pomembnost splošne deklaracije o človekovih pravi- cah in svoboščinah, osrednjem delu, pa na študijah primera anali- za kršitev človekovih pravic. v zaključku bodo predlagane rešitve spopada z jemensko krizo. r aziskovalno vprašanje se torej glasi: k atere človekove pravice so bile kršene v Jemnu? Human r ights Law c hallenges in Yemen Sanja Rokvić 100 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law Ključne besede: Jemen, kršitev človekovih pravic, deklaracija o človekovih pravicah in svoboščinah. 1. Introduction “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. such are the places where every man, woman and child seek equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimi- nation. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerned citizen action to up- hold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.” (Branch, 2016, e-source) eleanor r oosevelt 1 , 1958 And where, after all do the universal human rights end? In same places but like a virus it takes root strongly into the human soul, infects it, which is difficult to get over, to overcome. It is the most dangerous virus for human kind, the virus of hatred, xeno- phobia, which turns into pure malice towards one’s fellow man, one’s brother, one’s own nation. A virus that destroys human dig- nity and the basic essence of human existence. It is a virus that can destroy the humanity. o ne of the poorest and most violent countries in the Mid- dle east, Yemen, holds strategic importance for regional players and the world’s most dangerous terrorist groups. t he war began when saudi Arabia initiated a military intervention against the Houthi rebels. t he territory within Yemen’s borders is one of the oldest cra- dles of civilization in the Middle east. t his land was among the most fertile in the Arabian Peninsula when rainfall was more fre- quent due to the high mountains. However, with the decline of natural resources, including oil, Yemen and its people became impoverished (burrowes, Wenner, 2023, e-source). 1 eleanor r oosevelt was one of the co-founders of the Universal declaration of human rights. Her struggle in this field has moved many milestones in ensuring equality, justice and dignity without discrimination. t herefore, her thoughts, actions and struggle are the main gude for the preservation of the Human r ights Law. 101 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law Challenges in Yemen o n the other hand the country holds an important strategic position at the top of southwestern Arabia. It is situated along the main sea route that leads from europe to Asia, close to the busiest shiping line. Millions of barrels of oil passed through daily in both direc- tions — from the Mediterranean through the suez c anal and from oil refineries in saudi Arabia to the Asian market. t he Yemeni port of Aden was one of the busiest in the world in the 20th cen- tury (burrowes, Wenner, 2023, e-source). Yemen, as we know it today, was formed during the process of unification of the northern and southern parts of the country. t his unification process took place from May 1988 through the signing of the unification agreement in November 1989. t he agreement was signed by Ali Abdullah saleh, the president of North Yemen, and Ali salim al bidh on behalf of south Yemen. t he official an- nouncement of unification was made on May 22, 1990 (Yemeni c omunity Association in sandwell Limited, e-source). Historically, North Yemen 2 , which managed to perserve its sovereignty and never became a possession of the european power, was a shiite monarchy. (Yemeni comunity Association in sandwell Limited, e-source) However, south Yemen 3 was brit- ish territory, whose fate was determined for centuries by its ex- ceptional strategic position on the route connecting british India with the metropolis (Yemeni comunity Association in sandwell Limited, e-source). even after the unification of the country in May 1990 the deep division between former North and south Yemen was not over- come (burrowes, Wenner, 2023, e-source). t he territorial distribu- tion of two Islamic Groups largely corresponds to the former divi- sion into the northern and southern parts of the country, in fact it is more about the northwest and southeast (burrowes, Wenner, 2023, e-source). o utside Yemen’s major cities, there are number of tribal ar- eas that have their own self- government. (crisis group 2022, e- source) With a large number of civilians owning guns, believed to outnumber citizens, local tribal militias often suppress the na- tional army and enforce their laws based on tradition rather than the state’s constitution (c risis group 2022, e-source). 2 sanaa. 3 Aden. 102 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law Yemen is a predominantly Islamic society, but divided into sunnis, estimated to be 55%, and shiites, making up the rest of the population (burrowes, Wenner, 2023, e-source). t he divisions between sunnis and shiites are based on long-standing religious conflicts that began as a dispute over the succession of the Proph- et Muhammad. (burrowes, Wenner, 2023, e-source) While shiites belive his cousin was meant to fill the role of Muhammad, sunnis support Muhammad’s close friend and adviser, Abu bakr,the first caliph of the Islamic nation (burrowes, Wenner, 2023, e-source). Likewise, over the past decades, strict and puritanical salafis and Wahhabis have become increasingly influential in Yemen (Al Maqtari, 2017, e-source). t he Houthis represent the zeidi branch, a branch of shia Islam from the far north of Yemen, near border with saudi Arabia. (Wilson center, 2022, e-source) t heir leader, Hussein badreddin al- Houthi, is accused by the govern- ment of organizing the rebellion, including violent anti- Israel and anti American demonstrations in 2004. (Wilson c enter, 2022, e-source) t he regime conducted a search for him, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of people and the death of the leader, who was killed along with a dozen of his supporters (Wilson c enter, 2022, e-source). since then, the Houthis have been actively fighting the central government, seeking greater political influence and accusing the government of aligning itself with saudi Arabia while neglecting national development and the needs of the traditional z eidi tribe. (Wilson c enter, 2022, e-source) t he responsibility for the Yemeni crisis, in addition to the weak mechanisms of UN action, can also be attributed to saudi Arabia. o n March 26, 2015, as the leader of a coalition of nine countries from Western Asia and North Africa, it launched an intervention in the Yemeni civil and military conflict in response to the calls of the President of Yemen, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, for military support after he was deposed by the Houthi movement (Middle east eye, 2020, e-source). t he civil war began in september 2014, when Houthi forces captured the capital of sana’a, followed by a quick takeover of the Houthi governement (Ghobari, 2014, e-source). t he leaders of saudi Arabia supported Hadi for several reasons. t he main concerns revolved around the rise of the Houthis on the southern border of saudi Arabia, who, in their opinion, were supported 103 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law Challenges in Yemen by saudi Arabia’s main regional rival, Iran (Yaakoubi, k alin, bar- rington, 2019, e-source). With several forces fighting in the country, including official authorities, Yemen’s chaos has become a breeding ground for extremism. exstemist groups linked to the Islamic state are now operating in Yemen, waging war against the military and civilians, while disregarding the minimum standards of human rights. 2. Methodology t his research work requires the application of various social science research methods as they are essential for obtaining ob- jective answers to the research question posed. t he central re- search question is: Which human rights were violated in Yemen? t he initial step involves acquiring and carefully selecting rel- evant literature, articles, online sources, reports, legislation, and other materials. special attention will be given to audio and video sources, as they provide a suitable basis for understanding the current situation in Yemen. sources will be systematically gath- ered through scientific databases, the web, the library, and other appropriate channels. t hroughout the article, masculine terms will be used in a neu- tral sense unless explicitly stated otherwise. t he introductory section of the article will employ the descrip- tive method. Using this method, which is based on the analysis and interpretation of primary and secondary sources in the field of human rights violations, the study’s framework will be estab- lished. t his framework will be complemented by the explanatory method, as it aims to elucidate specific facts and justify the cir- cumstances surrounding the actions under examination. Given that the subject of study is the 8-year war in Yemen, the historical method will be incorporated into the research. t his will be complemented by case studies, facilitating a more precise analysis and interpretation of the facts, and providing answers to the research question. t he research will involve describing and justifying the circum- stances in which specific human rights violations occurred and assessing their consequences on individuals and society. Following the case study analysis, the research will proceed with intercomparisons, synthesis, and the extraction of key find- 104 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law ings. t his will be followed by interpretation, concluding with a general assessment of the research and its findings. t herefore, the article will encompass a meticulous selection of material, the study and filtering of data, the utilization of descrip- tive, explanatory, historical methods, methods of examples and comparisons, analysis, synthesis, commentary, and methods of providing evaluations and conclusions. 3. Current situation t he eight-year-long crisis in Yemen and the military division of the territory have resulted in an intractable military, political, and humanitarian crisis. t he war is between the internationally recog- nized government of Yemen (the military troops of Yemen’s gov- Figure 1: Current territorial control and influece in Yemen (Ro- binson, 2022, e-source) 105 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law Challenges in Yemen ernment), which is supported by saudi Arabia, and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran (r obinson, 2022, e-source). t he military security crisis, often referred to as Yemen’s c haos, has also been exploited by Jihadist Al Qaeda fighters. t hey joined the fighting, primarily carrying out suicide attacks in Aden and its surrounding areas, and launched a ballistic missile at the saudi capital, r iyadh. In response, saudi Arabia further tightened the blockade of Yemen (Ahlin, 2022, e-source). Figure 1 illustrates the current situation in Yemen. t he major- ity of the territory is under the control of government security forces, which are under the influence of saudi Arabia (r obinson, 2022, e-source). t he Houthis control the eastern parts of the terri- tory, while the south is in transition. Additionally, inside Yemen, there are parts that are under the control of jihadist members of Al Qaeda (r obinson, 2022, e-source). Yemen is thus divided according to religious beliefs into the sun- ni north and the shiite south, which are in clonflict with each other. t he country has faced numerous emergencies, including: • Violent conflicts and war • Economic blockade, • The crash of its currency, • Natural disasters (IFRC.ORG, 2022, e- source) (flodds), • The COVID19 pandemic, • Only half of the medical facilities are funcioning, • The war between Russia and Ukraine, which diverted public interest to another continent 4 .  Yemen is experiencing the largest humanitarian crisis in history. t welve million children need food, water, shelter, and medicine. c hildren are grappling with an epidemic, famine, and war all at the same time (IFrc .or G, 2022, e- source). t he responsibility for the Yemeni crisis, in addition to the in- adequate mechanisms of the UN, can also be attributed to saudi Arabia. o n March 26, 2015, as the leader of a coalition of nine countries from Western Asia and North Africa, it began to inter- vene in the Yemeni civil war in response to the calls by the Presi- dent of Yemen, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, for military support after he was ousted by the Houthi movement (Middle east eye, 2020, e-source). 4 However, the current public attention is now focused on what is happening between Israel and Gaza. 106 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law t he civil war began in september 2014 when Houthi forces captured the capital sanaa, followed by a takeover od the Houthi government (Ghobari, 2014, e-source). saudi Arabia’s leaders supported Hadi for several reasons. However, the main ones should definitely be looked for becasuse of concerns about the rise of the Houthis on the southern border of saudi Arabia, who, in their opinion, are supported by saudi Arabia’s main regional rival, Iran (Yaakoubi, kalin, barrington, 2019, e-source). 4. Which human rights have been violated t he conflict in Yemen has resulted in widespread human rights violations, affecting the civilian population and leading to a hu- manitarian crisis. Here are some of the reported human rights viola- tions that have been reported during the eight-year war in Yemen: • Right to Life: t he conflict has led to the deaths of thousands of Yemeni civilians, including women and children. t he war has also caused massive displacement, with millions of people forced to flee their homes (Human r ights Watch, 2022, e-source). • Right to Food and Water: t he conflict has caused a severe hu- manitarian crisis, with millions of Yemenis facing food and water shortages. (Human r ights Watch, 2022, e-source) t he blockade of ports and airports by the saudi-led coalition has also prevented the delivery of essential humanitarian aid (Human r ights Watch .2022, e-source). • Right to Health: t he conflict has damaged Yemen’s healthcare system, making it difficult for people to access essential medical care. Many hospitals and clinics have been damaged or destroyed in the fighting, and the Houthi authorities prevented vaccinations against c ovid-19 (Amnesty International ,2021, e-source). • Right to Education: t he war has disrupted the education system, with many schools and universities being damaged or closed. Millions of children have been unable to attend school, and many have been forced to flee their homes (Amnesty Inter- national, 2021, e-source). • Right to Freedom of Expression: t he conflict has resulted in the detention and harassment of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders who have spoken out against the war (Amnesty International, 2021, e-source). 107 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law Challenges in Yemen • Right to Freedom of Movement: t he blockade has restricted the movement of people and goods in and out of Yemen, making it difficult for Yemenis to travel or seek refuge in other countries (Human r ights Watch, 2022, e-source). • Right of Equality and Non-discrimination: All sides have practiced gender-based violence and discrimination. t he war- ring parties carried out harassment, arbitrary detentions, forced abductions, torture, and other ill-treatment, as well as unfair tri- als based on political, religious, or peaceful belief and action, professional affiliation, and gender (Amnesty International, 2021, e-source). • Right to Healthy and Sustainable Environment: environmen- tal degradation has threatened many protected species. All sides in the Yemeni conflict are responsible for environmental degra- dation due to mismanagement of canceled programs, neglect of legally protected areas, mismanagement of oil infrastructure, and economic pressure on civilians (Human r ights Watch, e-source). t he multifaceted human rights violations underscore the ur- gent need for international attention and concerted efforts to address the crisis in Yemen. More than 4 million people have been displaced by the con- flict, and the cov ID 19 pandemic has exacerbated the humanitar- ian crisis (Human r ights Watch, 2022, e-source). t he people of Yemen are enduring unsustainable economic conditions and a lack of basic services throughout the country. In south Yemen, protests have erupted due to deteriorating eco- nomic conditions and basic services. (Human r ights Watch, 2022, e-source) t he most significant challenge for the Yemeni people, beyond the war and the supply of food, water, and fuel, is that more than 2 million Yemeni children under the age of 5 are acutely malnour- ished (International Medical corps, e-source). every 10 minutes one child under the age of 5 dies from malnutrition. (Unicef, e- source). t he situation highlights the critical need for urgent and com- prehensive humanitarian intervention in Yemen. t he symbolic representation of Figure 2 is poignant and clear. It underscores that in Yemen, the most vulnerable groups are chil- dren and women. t he image, with selma holding her six-year-old son, Abdullah Musabih, in her arms, serves as a powerful visual 108 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law testament to the impact of the crisis on families, particularly on mothers and their young children (Graham Harrison, 2016, e- source). It conveys the human side of the conflict, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian support and international in- tervention to address the plight of the vulnerable populations in Yemen. t he impact of the conflict in Yemen on healthcare is severe, with many hospitals having been destroyed due to military at- tacks. even those that are still functioning are operating at the edge of their capacity. official figures of child deaths caused by starvation vary widely, ranging from 85,000 to 400,000 (ba- hashwan, 2022, e-source). Additionally, certain reports indicate that as many as 6 million children under the age of 5 are at risk of starvation (IFrc , 2022, e-source). t hese figures underscore the urgent need for international assistance and humanitarian efforts to address the escalating crisis and provide essential support to the vulnerable population in Yemen. t he impact of the conflict in Yemen has been exacerbated Figure 2: A mother with her son in the intensive care unit in the Red Sea port of Hodaidah. Photographer: Abduljabbar Zeyad, Re- uters (Graham Harrison, 2016, e-source). 109 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law Challenges in Yemen by blockades on the supply of fuel, food, and water, particu- larly by saudi Arabian soldiers. Prior to these blockades, Ukraine and r ussia were the main importers of grain for Yemen, sup- plying up to 40% of their grain. r eports suggest that r ussian intervention in Ukraine interrupted this flow, but the overall import of food into Yemen has been blocked for seven years, leading to numerous deaths, especially among children, due to malnutrition. t he price of food in Yemen has increased by 60% compared to the previous year, and the warring parties have impeded the flow of food, medicine, fuel, and humanitarian aid. experts warn that inflation in developed countries can have deadly consequences in poor countries (bahashwan, 2022, e- source; oc HA, 2022, e-source). Peter salsbury, an expert on Yemen at the International c risis Group, highlighted the triple damage caused by the war between Ukraine and r ussia on Yemen. t he loss of food supplies from Ukraine and higher prices on international markets, along with increased fuel prices and a shift in international focus to another continent, contribute to the prolonged suffering of the Yemeni people (salisbury, Hana, 2022, e-source). In summary, the circumstances surrounding Yemen indicate that the suffering of the people is unlikely to end soon. Human rights violations are rampant, particularly in relation to the right to food and the right to education. children are suffering from hunger, and the destruction of schools (over 2,900 destroyed) is hindering their education. t he war has also resulted in a lack of freedom for the people in Yemen (Al Jazeera, 2022, e-source). t he situation in Yemen remains dire, requiring urgent interna- tional attention and humanitarian intervention. t he Amnesty International 2021 report highlights that all parties involved in the conflict in Yemen violated international humanitarian and human rights law with impunity. t he saudi- led coalition supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government and Houthi forces both engaged in attacks that un- lawfully killed and wounded civilians, as well as destroyed civil- ian facilities, including essential infrastructure like food facilities (Amnesty International, 2021, e-source). Additionally, forces of the southern t ransitional c ouncil (sct 5 ) were reported to have 5 t he southern t ransitional c ouncil is a separatist orgnazation in southern Yemen. t he 26 members of the stc include five governors of southern provinces and two govenment ministers 110 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law carried out summary executions. (Amnesty International, 2021, e-source) Furthermore, the report notes that saudi Arabia and bahrain actively lobbied member states of the UN Human r ights c ouncil (Hrc ) against the restoration of the United Nations Group of eminent experts on Yemen (UN Gee). t his lobbying resulted in the termination of the only international impartial investigative mechanism for Yemen, further complicating efforts to hold par- ties accountable for their actions (Amnesty International, 2021, e- source). t he report also highlights the contributions of all parties in the conflict to environmental degradation, the pronouncement of death sentences, and the execution of those sentences. t hese findings underscore the widespread and systematic nature of hu- man rights abuses and violations of international law in Yemen, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and a compre- hensive resolution to the conflict. t he Amnesty International 2021 report highlights the environ- mentally damaging coping mechanisms employed by Yemenis, which include a dependence on charcoal, unsustainable fishing, and unsustainable development. t hese practices have resulted in increased pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, and loss of biodi- versity, negatively impacting the enjoyment of the rights to health, food, and water (Amnesty International, 2021, e-source). t he report also details instances of mismanagement of oil infrastructure contributing to environmental degradation. At the bir Ali oil terminal in shabwa province, mismanagement led to a pipeline leaking oil into the sea for four days, close to a pro- tected coastal area. Additionally, Houthi authorities refused UN technical assistance for the FSO Safer tanker, a vessel, which posed a significant risk and was stranded off the coast of Hodei- dah. t he tanker carried a cargo of 1.14 million barrels of oil, and the potential consequences included devastating effects on the r ed sea’s biodiversity, water scarcity, human health risks, and food security for millions of Yemenis and eritreans dependent on r ed sea fisheries (Amnesty International, 2021, e-source). t hese environmental issues further compound the humanitar- ian crisis in Yemen, adding to the challenges faced by the popu- lation. t he highlighted examples underscore the grave human rights violations and the devastating impact of the conflict on the civil- 111 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law Challenges in Yemen ian population in Yemen. t he situation calls for urgent attention, intervention, and concerted efforts to address these violations and protect the human rights of all Yemenis. International coop- eration and advocacy are crucial in working towards a resolution to the conflict and providing much-needed humanitarian assis- tance to alleviate the suffering of the people in Yemen. t he hu- man rights situation in Yemen emphasizes the need for a compre- hensive and sustainable approach to bring about positive change and ensure the well-being of the population. 5. Possible solutions t he outlined steps provide a comprehensive and well-consid- ered approach to address the complex situation in Yemen. t hese measures consider not only the immediate humanitarian needs but also the underlying causes of the conflict. Here’s a summary: • Negotiate a Political Solution: Advocating for a negotiated political settlement is crucial to addressing the root causes of the conflict. t he involvement of all parties, including the Houthis, is essential for a sustainable resolution. • Provide Humanitarian Aid: Acknowledging the dire human- itarian situation and increasing support for aid efforts can pro- vide essential relief to the millions of Yemenis in need of food, water, and medical assistance. • End the Blockade: Lifting the blockade on Yemen’s ports and airports is vital for enabling the unrestricted flow of goods and humanitarian aid. t his step can significantly contribute to alleviat- ing the crisis. • Address the Economic Crisis: r ecognizing the economic im- pact of the conflict, providing economic support to stabilize the Yemeni economy and create job opportunities is a crucial aspect of long-term recovery. • Address Human Rights Abuses: Holding all parties account- able for human rights abuses is an essential step towards justice and reconciliation. establishing an independent commission of inquiry can help investigate violations and ensure accountability. t hese steps, when implemented collectively and with interna- tional cooperation, have the potential to address both the imme- diate humanitarian crisis and the underlying factors contributing to the conflict in Yemen. 112 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law If you were to describe what is happening in Yemen in one word, it would be a genocide 6 . t he starvation of millions of Yem- enis due to the conflict between sunnis and shiites, or any po- litical, religious, or ideological strife, is unacceptable in today’s world. What is even more horrifying is the realization that this suffering continues to persist day by day, year by year, and is on the brink of extending into a decade. It represents one of the most egregious forms of genocide witnessed by humanity - the mass starvation and displacement of millions of people. r egret- tably, it is the most vulnerable groups who bear the brunt of this suffering - children, the elderly, and women - those who lack the most necessities for survival, such as food, healthcare, and a se- cure home. 7 t he United Nations, founded with the objective of maintain- ing peace, stability, and upholding basic human rights, should promptly assemble teams comprising doctors, humanitarians, and volunteers to enhance the daily lives of Yemen’s residents. Immediate action is crucial to eradicate hunger, enhance health- care, and, foremost, establish peace and stability. It is imperative to engage all relevant parties in the pursuit of peace and commence the collaborative construction of a new, more stable nation that adheres to, at the very least, minimum standards of human rights and freedoms. It’s essential to recognize that sharia beliefs cannot be eradi- cated overnight, but efforts can be made to soften them to a de- gree where the minimum standard of human dignity is upheld, irrespective of religious belief, gender, race, or other divisions. Achieving this requires substantial work in the field of education, particularly for the most vulnerable groups, aiming to gradually loosen harsh measures within sharia law, aligning more closely 6 Jeffery bachman, a professor of human rights and the director of the Master’s program in ethics, Pe- ace, and Human r ights at American University in Washington, categorizes the comprehensive design of genocide within the military campaign of the saudi-led coalition in his article »A ‘synchronized attack’ on life: the Saudi-led coalition’s ‘hidden and holistic’ genocide in Yemen and the shared re- sponsibility of the US and UK,« published in the academic journal »Third World Quarterly«. He utilizes literature on genocide studies to analyze the coalition’s actions, concluding that they are executing a sustained genocide campaign involving a »synchronized attack« on all aspects of life in Yemen, made possible only through the complicity of the United states and the United k ingdom. 7 Donna e. Arzt, the late professor of law at syracuse University college of Law, analyzed the state of human rights in Islamic states in her article »t he Application of International Human r ights Law in Islamic states,« published in the journal »Human r ights Quarterly.« she concluded that it is a very complex issue influenced by various factors, such as radical Islam, pan-Arabism, the Palestinian struggle for self-determination, and political-economic relations with the West. t he most vulnerable groups are women and children, who become even more susceptible during times of war. 113 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law Challenges in Yemen with principles of human rights as recognized in the Western world. t his strategy could be undertaken similarly to what was done decades ago in the case of t urkey. 8 Yemen, in addition to its highly complex geopolitical and security challenges, grapples with the lack of political participa- tion from its citizens, namely civil society. beyond issues like poverty, hunger, and insufficient access to medicine, the popu- lation also faces the challenge of being unable to choose an effective political authority that can lead the country towards improvement and swift recovery. A significant hurdle lies in the public’s lack of trust in the central government and skepti- cism about the potential for finding viable solutions. Here, the involvement of the international community is both necessary and invaluable. Despite the failure of previous efforts to secure a mutual agree- ment for peace or a compromise among warring factions, it is essential to sustain ongoing efforts and maintain international pressure to find a resolution between the conflicting groups. ensuring the most basic living conditions for the people of Yemen, including guaranteed peace, sustainable economic condi- tions, sufficient food, energy resources for survival, and the estab- lishment of a robust health and education system, is paramount. o nce these fundamental needs are met, people can move beyond the struggle for survival and engage in political inclusion and other forms of activism. t he current unbearable conditions in Yemen are unacceptable in today’s human society. t hese proposed steps are just a beginning, and ultimately, a sustainable solution demands the commitment of all parties in- volved in the conflict. ending the fighting, addressing the root causes of the conflict, and prioritizing the well-being of the Yem- eni people are crucial aspects of a comprehensive and lasting resolution 9 . 8 t urkey is a member of the c ouncil of europe, which means that it has committed itself to respecting a minimum standard of human rights and freedoms. It also experienced an economic boom in the previous decade, which has a beneficial effect on the lifestyle of the residents. It is an example of good practice, how human rights and freedoms can also be enforced in the Islamic world. 9 since March of this year, c hina has been making diplomatic efforts to influence the establishment of a ceasefire between Iran and saudi Arabia and to establish a ceasefire in Yemen. However, it is realistic to expect that the animosity that has spread and entrenched itself among the people in Ye- men will not come to an end overnight. besides interest and effort, time is also required for changes. 114 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law 6. Conclusion t he conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since 2014 and has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, with millions of peo- ple in need of humanitarian assistance. While there have been ef- forts to find a political solution to the conflict, progress has been slow, and the situation remains fragile. o ne possible scenario for Yemen in 2023 is that the conflict continues, with sporadic fighting between the Yemeni govern- ment and the Houthi rebels, as well as ongoing attacks by extrem- ist groups such as Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic state (Is). In this scenario, the humanitarian situation in Yemen is likely to remain dire, with many people continuing to face food and water shortages, displacement, and limited access to healthcare. Another possible scenario is that a political settlement is reached between the Yemeni government and the Houthi re- bels, possibly with the help of the international community. t his could lead to a ceasefire and a reduction in violence, allowing for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the gradual rebuilding of Yemen’s infrastructure. However, achieving a political settlement in Yemen is a complex and difficult process, and it is not clear whether this scenario will come to pass. o verall, the situation in Yemen remains uncertain and difficult to predict. t he conflict has had a devastating impact on the Yem- eni people, and it is important that the international community continues to support efforts to find a political solution to the con- flict and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. eleanor r oosevelt, the former First Lady of the United states and human rights activist, made many powerful statements about war during her lifetime. o ne of her most famous quotes on war is: »It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.« (Pettinger, 2019, e-source) t his quote emphasizes the importance of taking action to achieve peace, rather than just talking about it or hoping for it. It also implies that peace is something that requires effort and com- mitment to achieve, and that it cannot be achieved without work and dedication. 115 DIGNITAS n Human Rights Law Challenges in Yemen While this quote does not directly reference war, it is often interpreted as a call to action for those who want to prevent war and promote peace. It suggests that peace is not a passive state, but rather an active pursuit that requires ongoing effort and dedi- cation. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SOURCES Articles Arzt, D.e. 1990. t he Application of International Human r ights Law in Islamic states. Human r ights Quarterly. t he John Hopkins University Press, vol. 12(2), pages 202-230. bachman, J.s. 2019. A ‘synchronized attack’ on life: the saudi-led coalition’s ‘hidden and holistic’ ge- nocide in Yemen and the shared responsibility of the Us and Uk . t hird World Quarterly. t aylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(2), pages 298-316. Online articles and reports Ahlin D. Pozabljena vojna v Jemnu. 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