15.01.2025 Statement by Denmark at the Security Council Briefing on Yemen

Checked Against Delivery

Thank you, Mr. President,

I would like to thank Special Envoy Grundberg and Assistant Secretary-General Msuya for their briefings and continued efforts on this issue. I also welcome the presence of the representative of Yemen in our meeting today.

Mr. President,

Our briefers this morning have painted a worrisome picture. One of a precarious and fragile situation, edging ever closer to a dangerous brink.

I would like to highlight three points.

First and foremost, de-escalation is absolutely critical.

Denmark is deeply concerned by the heightened level of tensions across the Middle East, including the latest increase in attacks between Israel and the Houthis.

We call on the Houthis to stop their attacks on Israel immediately and underscore Israel’s right to self-defence in line with international law, including the principle of proportionality.

We further call on all parties to exercise restraint and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law by protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. We also stress the importance of keeping Hudaydah port open as a lifeline for millions of Yemenis.

We condemn the Houthis’ continued attacks on international merchant vessels in the Red Sea as well as their continued unjustifiable detention of the Galaxy Leader and its 25 crew members. And we demand their immediate release.

Any attempt to disrupt the freedom of navigation upon which international commerce and development rests is unacceptable and may constitute a violation of international law. To this end, we underscore the need to reinforce the weapons embargo and curb the flow of arms to the Houthis, including by strengthening UNVIM.

Mr. President, my second point,

Denmark condemns any attempt to restrict, divert or interfere with the delivery of humanitarian aid. By interfering with humanitarian operations, the Houthis are depriving their own population of vital and lifesaving assistance. Put simply, it is costing lives.

In the same vein, we firmly condemn the Houthis’ arbitrary detention of UN staff, civil society and staff working for NGOs and diplomatic missions in Yemen. We call for their immediate and unconditional release.

It is critical that humanitarian personnel are able to carry out their lifesaving work in a safe operating environment. We therefore support UN humanitarian agencies and others on the ground in taking the necessary precautions to ensure their safety, when these basic requirements cannot be met.

Mr. President, my third point is closely linked to the first two. That is, the need for a political solution to this conflict.

While we are encouraged by Special Envoy Grundberg’s latest visit to Sana’a for the first time in nearly two years, the Houthis’ actions on other fronts give little reason for optimism.

What is needed is for the parties to demonstrate genuine goodwill. To lay down their arms and to engage constructively towards establishing a formal nationwide ceasefire and reinvigorating a Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned inclusive political process. A political process that fully includes women and youth.

Special Envoy, your efforts have laid important groundwork and you have Denmark’s full support.

To conclude,

The conflict in Yemen has raged for far too long. As always, it is the civilian population that suffers most. They must not become victims of a forgotten conflict. They must remain at the forefront of our minds. Their suffering demands and deserves our attention, and importantly, our action in support of peace in Yemen.

Thank you.

Checked Against Delivery