6 March 2025
Madam President,
I would like to thank the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Mr. Hans Grundberg, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Tom Fletcher, and Ms. Nesmah Ali for their presentations. I also welcome the presence among us of the Permanent Representative of Yemen.
Madam President,
The Security Council has denounced with one voice the systematic violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Houthis, the latest being the death last month of a humanitarian worker from the World Food Programme held in inhumane conditions.
France reiterates its strongest condemnation of the arbitrary detention by the Houthis of dozens of local and international UN and humanitarian personnel, members of Yemeni civil society and diplomatic missions. It calls for their immediate and unconditional release. We urge the Houthis to guarantee safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all areas and populations under their control, and to put an end to all threats and disinformation campaigns against humanitarian actors.
France commends the unwavering commitment of the UN and humanitarian agencies, which remain present on the ground. It calls on the Houthis to create the conditions necessary for the resumption of United Nations activities in the governorate of Saada. Through their actions, the Houthis are undermining the distribution of aid needed by the Yemeni people and contributing to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the country. On the day before International Women’s Rights Day, France reiterates its commitment in this area and emphasizes that conflicts and humanitarian crises disproportionately affect women, particularly in Yemen. France organized, with the Special Envoy’s teams, a workshop on the “Women, Peace and Security” Agenda on the sidelines of the IA Summit in Paris in early February, to discuss the challenges and opportunities posed by digital technologies.
Madam President,
France condemns the provocative statements made by the Houthis regarding the attacks in the Red Sea, which they are responsible for and which must cease. We will continue our commitment within the framework of the European Union’s defensive security and defense policy operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES in order to protect maritime safety and freedom of navigation, in accordance with international law and in conjunction with our partners.
The Special Envoy has said that only a political solution will end the conflict. France reiterates to the Special Envoy its full support in preparing for the necessary resumption of the peace process.
Finally, France reaffirms its commitment to the stability of Yemen and to regional security. It reiterates the need to avoid any further escalation in the region and calls on Iran to cease its support for destabilizing actions in the Middle East.
Thank you.