Sana'a: The National Human Rights Commission on Saturday strongly condemned the continued arbitrary and obstructive actions of the Saudi side in implementing its commitments regarding the prisoner exchange deal. This comes despite the National Committee for Prisoners' Affairs announcing that it has completed all procedures and obligations related to the deal and is fully prepared to proceed with its implementation according to the agreed-upon timeline.
According to Yemen News Agency, the Commission denounced the Saudi side's refusal to include the remaining prisoners in its custody and its continued obstruction of the agreement's implementation. The Commission considered this approach to the prisoner issue a blatant violation of its humanitarian nature and an unacceptable exploitation that exacerbates the suffering of detainees and their families within the framework of political and military bargaining.
The National Human Rights Commission emphasized that the issue of prisoners and detainees is a purely humanitarian matter and should not be subjected to any political or military considerations. It stressed that any deliberate obstruction of the exchange process exacerbates the violations against prisoners and holds the obstructing party fully legally and morally responsible for their continued detention and the suffering of their families.
The Commission called upon the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the sponsors and guarantors of the agreement to exert serious and effective pressure on the Saudi side to fulfill its obligations, cease its unjustified procrastination and stalling, and ensure the immediate and complete implementation of the agreement without selectivity or delay.
It demanded the immediate implementation of the prisoner exchange agreement as agreed upon, including all prisoners and detainees without exception, and the full disclosure of the fate of all detainees and their places of detention. The Commission called for the prisoner issue to be kept separate from any political or military bargaining and for serious efforts to be made to achieve a comprehensive agreement based on the principle of "all for all."
The committee held the Saudi side fully responsible for the continued delays, which exacerbate the suffering of prisoners, detainees, and their families, and obstruct one of the most vital humanitarian channels related to the aggression against Yemen. The committee reiterated its call to prioritize humanitarian considerations, adhere to the agreed-upon terms, and end the suffering of prisoners and their families without further procrastination or obstruction.