The United Kingdom has reportedly blocked efforts to establish an independent international investigation into alleged war crimes in Yemen, by refusing to support European Union efforts at the UN Human Rights Council.
A proposal by the Netherlands for an international inquiry had to be replaced instead with calls for  the UN high commissioner for human rights (OHCHR) dispatch a mission “with assistance from relevant experts, to monitor and report on the situation ... in Yemen, ”without British support for the initial proposal, reports the Guardian.
The move comes as British Foreign secretary Boris Johnson said an international inquiry was not needed in the country and instead stated that his government was “using a very, very wide variety of information sources about what is happening to acquaint ourselves with the details” of the ongoing fighting in the country.
“Blocking attempts to create an international inquiry is a betrayal of the people of Yemen who have suffered so much during this conflict,” said Polly Truscott of Amnesty International. “It’s shocking. The UK ought to be standing up for justice and accountability, not acting as a cheerleader for arms companies.”
Andrew Smith of the Campaign Against Arms Trade also commented on the latest development, stating that “for 18 months now, UK arms have been central to the destruction of Yemen”.
“The aid that is being given amounts to a small fraction of the damage that has been caused and pales in comparison to the £3.3bn worth of arms that have been licensed,” he added. “Theresa May and Boris Johnson must end the arms sales and put a stop to the uncritical support that the UK provides for the Saudi regime.”
A Foreign Office spokeswoman told the Guardian,

“The UK is working closely with all parties to secure agreement on a resolution that will help the situation on the ground in Yemen. We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in the country, and a political solution to the conflict remains the priority.”

See more from the Guardian here.