Delivered by Permanent Representative of Estonia to UN Mr. Sven Jürgenson
Thank you Mr President,
I would like to thank Special Envoy Griffiths and Under-Secretary-General Lowcock for their briefings.
Estonia would like to express its full support for all efforts of the Secretary-General concerning the impact of COVID-19 in conflict-affected countries. We echo the Secretary General’s call to cease hostilities in Yemen and to focus on reaching a negotiated political settlement.
Only an immediate ceasefire and a collective response in full cooperation with the UN agencies can help prevent the spread of the virus, which would have devastating consequences for the people of Yemen who are already suffering in the largest humanitarian crisis.
We welcome the announcement of the unilateral ceasefire by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on behalf of the coalition forces. We also welcome the announcement of compliance with the ceasefire by the Government of Yemen and we call on the Houthis to do the same.
We are concerned that despite all efforts to end the violence, deadly clashes with civilian casualties continue. We urge all parties to cease indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure, which are in direct violation of international humanitarian law, and stress the need to protect the vulnerable population, especially women and children. We also call on all parties to comply with international human rights law and to ensure accountability for all violations and abuses.
With the announcement of the first case of COVID-19 in Yemen, the need to stop fighting and to collectively focus on the common threat is evident. We fully support the Special Envoy in his efforts to end the hostilities and to convene the parties to start the formal political process for ending the crisis. We urge the parties to engage with the Special Envoy constructively and without delay.
A sustainable solution to the conflict can only be achieved through a political compromise. We reiterate the need for an inclusive and comprehensive political process mediated by the United Nations, with full and meaningful participation of women.
We urge the parties to guarantee safe, full and unhindered access of humanitarian aid to all people in need. With the possible spread of the deadly pandemic, the need to comply with humanitarian principles and to refrain from obstructing the work of humanitarian agencies is even more important.
We also repeat our call upon the Houthis to allow United Nations officials access to the SAFER oil tanker without delay, in order to prevent an environmental disaster.
