Geneva: The Saudi ambassador to the Human Rights Council said Thursday his country rejects accusations from two human rights groups, who have called for Saudi Arabia’s suspension from the UN-backed body over its military campaign in Yemen.
Ambassador Faisal Trad said Saudi Arabia was “keen” to abide by international law, review allegations about its military operations and assist aid workers and advocacy groups in Yemen, where a Saudi-led, US-backed coalition has been fighting Al Houthi and other militia since March 2015.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International on Wednesday called for Saudi Arabia’s suspension from the Geneva-based body until Saudi forces halt indiscriminate air strikes in Yemen that have killed over 900 civilians
In an email to The Associated Press, Trad countered that the two groups were “rejecting the facts” and “the truth about what is happening in Yemen,” pointing to violations committed by the militia.
“With regard to Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the coalition (are) keen to abide by international humanitarian law and apply the highest international rules of engagement which corresponds with international regulations,” Trad wrote.
The rights groups argued that if Saudi Arabia is found guilty of war crimes, the US could be complicit because it provides air strikes targeting information for the Saudi-led coalition. The State Department would not comment Wednesday on allegations of possible US complicity in war crimes or whether Saudi Arabia should be suspended from the council.
Under UN rules, a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly in New York would be needed to suspend the rights of any Human Rights Council member — a virtually impossible outcome in the case of Saudi Arabia, considering its political and economic clout.
Critics of Human Rights Council note its 47 members include countries such as Venezuela, Burundi and Russia, which have also faced criticism over their rights records.
