Discurso del Representante Permanente, Embajador Ronaldo Costa Filho, en la reunión del Consejo de Seguridad sobre la situación en Yemen - 12 de enero de 2022 (texto en inglés)
Madam President,
I would like to begin by thanking Special Representative Hans Grundberg and Undersecretary-General Martin Griffiths for their very informative briefings, as well as Ms. Al-Aghbary for her insightful contribution to our discussion. I also take this opportunity to welcome to the Council our colleague, ambassador Al-Saadi.
The briefings today have once more revealed the scale of the Yemeni tragedy and the daily threats facing Yemenis’ lives, livelihoods and dignity. While urgent action is needed in a number of issues, from de-escalation to economic and humanitarian support, these measures will not be sustainable without a countrywide ceasefire and, ultimately, a comprehensive and inclusive political solution.
Special Envoy Grundberg, let me reiterate Brazil’s full support to you in the pursuit of this goal. We are encouraged by your efforts to reach out to Yemenis from different regions and diverse social groups, including journalists, youth and especially women. Brazil also appreciates the renewed emphasis on the economic aspects of the crisis. We have taken note of your outline for a Yemeni-owned political process which would seek to avoid preconditions and to promote progress on different tracks and look forward to seeing it in further detail.
Madam President,
Today we are witnessing a worrying trend towards escalation and instability. The months-long Houthi offensive in Marib and adjoining governorates has had disastrous humanitarian consequences, especially for internally displaced persons, a situation which may be further aggravated in the near future. In Hodeida, last November’s sudden repositioning of forces was conducted without coordination with UNMHA, undermining the Stockholm Agreement.
The seizure by Ansar Allah of an Emirati-flagged vessel last week is also deeply concerning and risks further escalating the conflict. Brazil calls on the parties to exercise restraint and to take measures to defuse tensions, including the release of the vessel and its crew. This is yet another example of the threats posed by the war to maritime transportation in the region, which include the deployment of sea mines, the use of water-borne improvised explosive devices and the ongoing issue of the Safer Tanker, which could cause vast environmental devastation.
Madam President,
Our briefers have addressed the increasingly dire economic situation in Yemen. Ongoing economic warfare between the parties has generated massive inflation, increased humanitarian needs and established increasingly divergent economic zones within the country. Immediate measures that could alleviate the crisis include a lifting of restrictions on the imports of essential goods and foreign exchange injections through the Central Bank.
Brazil commends the Norwegian presidency’s focus on Women, Peace and Security, and would like to highlight the importance of mechanisms capable of amplifying women’s voices, such as the Yemeni women’s Technical Advisory Group, represented here today by Ms. Al-Aghbary. Without their participation, there will be no lasting peace. This is yet another reason why systematic and violent repression by Houthi authorities of politically and professionally active women is unacceptable and must be halted immediately. Brazil is also concerned with the issue of Children and Armed Conflict in Yemen, especially with the increase in the use of child soldiers by Houthis and other actors.
As underlined by Undersecretary-General Griffiths, the humanitarian situation keeps deteriorating in spite of OCHA and others’ best efforts. Reports of the World Food Program recently being forced to reduce rations are a distressing illustration of the growing funding gap. Brazil has sought to do its part, including by making donations to the WFP during pledging events in March and September of 2021. We hope donor countries from all regions can come together to meet the basic humanitarian needs of Yemenis in 2022.
Finally, it is also imperative that all parties guarantee full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. Movement restrictions, attempts to interfere with beneficiary lists, visa denials and constraints on female humanitarian workers have been costly and harmful, especially in Houthi-controlled areas. Lifting the restrictions on Yemeni Red Sea ports and on the Sana’a airport would also be crucial steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, especially with regard to food insecurity.
Thank you, Madam President