The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Thursday called on the international community "to establish an international, independent body to carry out comprehensive investigations in Yemen" after a UN Human Rights Council report highlighting the extent of human rights violations. 

Over 3500 civiians are believed to have been killed since March 2015 in the conflict. 

“The perpetuation of the conflict and its consequences on the population in Yemen are devastating,” the report, released today, stated. 

“The international community…has a legal and moral duty to take urgent steps to alleviate the appalling levels of human despair.”

Highlighting abuses including attacks on residential areas and medical facilities, the use of cluster bombs and sniper attacks against civilians, the report went on to state: 

“In numerous situations where military targets could be identified, there remain serious concerns as to whether the incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects that could be expected from the attack were not excessive in relation to the anticipated concrete and direct military advantage apparently sought."

“Civilians in Yemen have suffered unbearably over the years from the effects of a number of simultaneous and overlapping armed conflicts,” Mr Zeid said. “And they continue to suffer, absent any form of accountability and justice, while those responsible for the violations and abuses against them enjoy impunity. Such a manifestly, protractedly unjust situation must no longer be tolerated by the international community.”