S/2021/194 Security Council

In accordance with the procedure agreed upon by the members of the Security Council in the light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic, as set out in the letter dated 27 March 2020 from the President of the Security Council addressed to the members of the Council (S/2020/253), I would like to draw your attention to the following. The members of the Council have discussed a draft resolution, submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in connection with the agenda item “The situation in the Middle East”. That draft resolution, contained in document S/2021/178 and enclosed herewith, has been put into blue. In my capacity as President of the Security Council, I hereby put the above- mentioned draft resolution to a vote. The non-extendable 24-hour voting period for this draft resolution will begin at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 24 February 2021. The non-extendable 24-hour voting period will expire at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday, 25 February 2021. Please submit your vote (in favour, against, or abstaining) on the draft resolution, as well as any possible explanation of vote, by sending a letter signed by the Permanent Representative or Chargé d’affaires a.i. within the non-extendable 24-hour voting period set out above to the Officer-in-Charge of the Security Council Affairs Division (SCAD/DPPA) in the United Nations Secretariat (sutterlin@un.org). It is my intention to circulate a letter listing the outcome of the vote within three hours of the conclusion of the 24-hour voting period. I also intend to convene a video-teleconference of the Security Council to announce the outcome of the vote shortly after the conclusion of the voting period, on the afternoon of Thursday, 25 February 2021.

Estonia is making the current statement in explanation of its vote on resolution 2564 (2021), of 25 February 2021. Estonia welcomes the adoption of the resolution on the renewal of the sanctions regime related to Yemen and the extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts on Yemen. We consider the sanctions regime and the work of the Panel of Experts on Yemen essential elements in contributing to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Yemen. We highly value the efforts of the United Kingdom as penholder and the cooperation of all Council colleagues who engaged in the discussions on the text. We consider it important that the resolution underlines the need for accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights. We welcome the designation of an individual who has engaged in violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses in Yemen, including intimidation and use of systematic arrest, detention, torture, sexual violence and rape against politically active women. We also welcome the fact that the text expresses support for, and a commitment to, the participation of women in the political process. In line with the Security Council decisions to date, we underline that the participation of women in such processes should be full, equal and meaningful. We note that the Security Council has consistently referred to “gender equality” when addressing issues related to women and peace and security. For that reason, we regret the inclusion of the reference to “the equality of the sexes”, which diverges from agreed Council usage. We note that our future discussions should be based on the established language on gender equality.

We welcome the adoption today of resolution 2564 (2021), on the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014), which Ireland and Mexico voted in favour of. Furthermore, we express appreciation for the efforts of the United Kingdom as penholder. Ireland and Mexico strongly support the work of the 2140 Committee and regard the sanctions regime as an important tool of the Council to contribute to a solution to the conflict and restore peace, security and stability in Yemen. We welcome the designation, for the first time in the context of Yemen, of an individual who has played a prominent role in a policy of intimidation and the use of systematic arrest, detention, torture, sexual violence and rape against politically active women. We also welcome the inclusion of language on accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights, as well as language on the participation of women in the political process. However, we regret that a reference to “the equality of the sexes” was included in the resolution. “Gender equality” is the long-established agreed language of the Security Council on matters of women and peace and security. We emphasize that “gender equality” must form the basis of any future discussions.

The Russian Federation abstained in the voting on the sanctions resolution 2564 (2021), regarding Yemen, put forward by the United Kingdom, due to the fact that not all of our concerns were met. During consultations on the draft resolution, our delegation clearly pointed out a number of newly introduced elements that we could not agree to and presented proposals aimed at amending the imbalanced and selective nature of the text. Some of the provisions included in the draft resolution were not properly discussed within the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014). While constructively engaging with other members of the Security Council, we promoted the idea that every step of this body should envisage the strategic goal of reaching a comprehensive settlement in Yemen. We believe that any sanctions regime should not become a goal in itself but rather serve the task of ending conflicts. We therefore reiterate our strong support for the United Nations efforts to facilitate political dialogue and promote peace in Yemen. Unfortunately, we have doubts that the resolution will be of any help to those efforts.S/2021/194

To end the conflict in Yemen, the international community must seek a lasting political solution and humanitarian relief for the Yemeni people. Resolution 2564 (2021), adopted today, helps us move in that direction. Security Council sanctions on Yemen are a necessary tool to apply pressure on the Houthis to cease all military operations and turn to negotiations. We thank the United Kingdom for leading the effort for those sanctions and the mandate of the Panel of Experts on Yemen, and we urge all States Members of the United Nations to implement their sanctions obligations related to Yemen. The United States remains clear-eyed about the Houthis’ malign actions and their aggression, particularly in their current military offensive against Ma’arib. Likewise, we hold them responsible for attacks and threats against civilian and commercial shipping, which must cease. We are disappointed that the Security Council could not speak with one voice today regarding the responsibility that the Houthis bear, in both actions and intransigence, for prolonging this conflict and exacting serious humanitarian costs. If the Houthis are serious about a negotiated political solution, they must cease all military advances and refrain from other destabilizing and potentially lethal actions, including cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia. They must commit to constructively participating in the United Nations-led political process and engage seriously in the diplomatic effort led by Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen Martin Griffiths and United States Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking. The United States remains committed to helping its partners in the Gulf defend themselves, including against threats arising from Yemen, many of which are carried out with the support of Iran. It is imperative that all States Members of the United Nations implement their Security Council sanctions obligations and refrain from taking actions that may undermine the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen. Finally, we welcome the decision of the Security Council to designate Sultan Zabin in this resolution. Zabin is responsible for the implementation of a policy of the Sana’a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that resulted in numerous reported cases of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, sexual violence, rape, torture and other cruel treatment utilized by the Sana’a CID against politically active women who opposed the Houthis. We urge all Member States to implement their sanctions obligations with regard to Zabin and all other individuals designated on the Yemen sanctions list. The United States, alongside the United Nations and others, will continue to work to end the war and do its part to help ease the suffering of the Yemeni people.