Geneva - The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor and Swiss Solidarity organization called on the parties to the conflict in Yemen to spare the children of the consequences of armed conflict and to allow humanitarian assistance to reach the civilian population immediately.

In a speech on behalf of the two organizations at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council, the media officer of the Euro-Med Monitor, Alaa Al-Bargouthi, called for a serious and independent investigation into the violations against Yemeni children and for all those found to have committed war crimes to be brought to justice.

The Euro-Med Monitor and Swiss Solidarity have referred to serious violations targeting children in Yemen by all the parties to the conflict, whether the legitimate government, the Houthi group or the Arab coalition forces.

 After four years of the armed conflict in Yemen 1,604 children were killed, 4,361 were injured and more that 845 were recruited in 2017 by various parties, particularly the Houthi group, the two organizations said in a statement to the UN Security Council.

 The two organizations also said that 85,000 Yemeni children have died of hunger since 2015, while 1.8 million others suffer from malnutrition.

 The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor and Swiss Solidarity organization warned that 14 million Yemenis will starve if the parties to the conflict continue to deny access to food and humanitarian aid to civilians, especially children.