Leaked UN report could see Saudi Arabia blacklisted over children deaths in Yemen

‘Saudi-led coalition strikes have resulted in hundreds of Yemeni children being killed or maimed, a leaked UN report has said. The paper also urges that Riyadh and its allies be added to a black list of countries violating children’s rights.
People stand on the rubble of houses allegedly destroyed by Saudi-led air strikes in Sanaa, Yemen, 09 June 2017 © Hani Al-Ansi / DPA / Global Look PressYemen hit by more airstrikes in 1st half of 2017 than in whole of 2016 – aid agencies
The confidential draft, which is yet to be presented by the UN Secretary-General but seen by Reuters and Foreign Policy (FP) magazine, alleges that Saudi forces and their Gulf allies were complicit in more than half of the deaths and injuries of children in Yemen last year.
“The killing and maiming of children remained the most prevalent violation” of children’s rights in Yemen, the 41-page paper says, as cited by FP.
“In the reporting period, attacks carried out by air were the cause of over half of all child casualties, with at least 349 children killed and 333 children injured.”
The report, which is expected to be released next month, still requires the endorsement from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. It was reportedly drafted by Guterres’ special envoy for children and armed conflict, Virginia Gamba, acting on a request from the UN Security Council.
Citing “well-placed sources,” FP said Gamba notified high-ranking UN officials that she suggested the coalition – comprising Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Sudan and the UAE – be included in a black list of rogue countries responsible for killing and maiming children.’
Read more: Leaked UN report could see Saudi Arabia blacklisted over children deaths in Yemen