[11/06/2025 05:44]

NEW YORK - SABA
The Republic of Yemen has confirmed its commitment to providing care and attention for persons with disabilities as a segment of Yemeni society, believing in the achievement of equality among all citizens in rights and public duties.

In a statement by the Yemeni representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah al-Saadi, during the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities held in New York, he stated, "Yemen was one of the first countries to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Despite the difficult circumstances Yemen is facing due to the war waged by the terrorist Houthi militias, the Yemeni government continues its efforts to fulfill its commitments to achieve the goals outlined in this convention."

Ambassador al-Saadi added, "The Fund for the Care and Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, pays special attention to persons with disabilities by providing necessary healthcare and education, ensuring a decent life for them, and integrating them into society."

He pointed out that civilians in Yemen still face increasing threats due to attacks by Houthi militias on residential areas using ballistic missiles, artillery, drones, landmines, and explosive devices planted in roads, agricultural lands, and neighborhoods, resulting in hundreds of casualties, including deaths and lasting disabilities among women and children.

This has led to severe economic and humanitarian repercussions and significant psychological trauma for the affected individuals and their families.

In preparation for the Second Global Summit on Social Development to be held in Qatar next November, al-Saadi emphasized the importance of taking tangible steps to enhance the full and effective inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of development, particularly in least developed countries, including conflict and post-conflict nations, by ensuring equal access to education and decent work, providing assistive technologies, and strengthening social protection systems.

He confirmed that empowering and actively involving persons with disabilities is essential for achieving the social dimensions of the 2030 Agenda.

He reaffirmed the Yemeni government's steadfast commitment to enhancing efforts to support persons with disabilities and promote their role in society, alleviating humanitarian suffering, and ensuring this segment receives the necessary care and the implementation of development projects to boost their participation.

He also referred to the catastrophic humanitarian situation faced by the Palestinian people due to the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip for more than 600 days, resulting in devastating human and material losses. The actions of Israel, the occupying power, have constituted genocide and serious violations intentionally targeting civilians, including women and children.

This aggression has led to an unprecedented increase in the number of persons with disabilities, in blatant violation of international law and humanitarian law, said Ambassador al-Saadi.

He called on the international community to take immediate action to stop the crimes and violations committed by Israel against the Palestinians, hold the perpetrators of these brutal crimes accountable, and ensure an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, lifting the blockade and allowing humanitarian assistance to enter the area without obstacles.

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