The Continued Siege of Yemen: A Violation of Human Rights and a Crime Against Civilians

On Jul 22, 2026

Statement of Condemnation Regarding the Continued Siege on the Yemeni People and the Policy of Collective Punishment

The Entisaf Organization for Women and Children’s Rights condemns in the strongest terms the continued siege imposed on the Yemeni people, along with the accompanying hostile policies and measures that have exacerbated the suffering of civilians and transformed the lives of millions of Yemenis, especially women and children, into a protracted humanitarian tragedy. This tragedy stems from their deprivation of their most basic rights, including the rights to food, medicine, medical treatment, freedom of movement, travel, education, and essential services.

For 12 years, the Yemeni people have been subjected to a comprehensive aggression and siege, resulting in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Airports have been closed, ports restricted, travel and trade disrupted, and economic, health, and living conditions have deteriorated. Poverty, unemployment, and malnutrition rates have soared, while millions of Yemenis have been deprived of benefiting from their national resources, which should have been used to provide salaries, basic services, and improve living standards.

The organization affirms that the suffering endured by the Yemeni people constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, which prohibits the use of starvation and collective punishment against civilians. Furthermore, the continued restrictions on the movement of people and goods, and their resulting catastrophic humanitarian consequences, exacerbate the suffering of civilians and prolong the humanitarian crisis.

The organization emphasizes that the fundamental rights of the Yemeni people, foremost among them the right to a dignified life, freedom of movement, access to national resources, and access to food, medicine, and basic services, are inherent and inalienable rights that no party may infringe upon, confiscate, or obstruct under any pretext. Ending the suffering of Yemenis requires lifting all restrictions that affect their daily lives and enabling them to fully exercise these rights.

The organization demands a complete end to the blockade, the reopening of airports to unrestricted civilian flights, the opening of ports and the facilitation of transportation, trade, and travel, enabling the Yemeni people to utilize their oil and gas resources to provide salaries and essential services, and working towards a humanitarian solution to the issue of prisoners that guarantees an end to the suffering of thousands of families. The organization affirms that achieving justice for the Yemeni people begins with acknowledging the extent of the injustice they have suffered as a result of the Saudi aggression and blockade, taking practical steps to end the blockade, ensuring the protection of civilians and respect for their fundamental rights, and working to hold accountable those responsible for the violations that have caused immense human suffering for many years.

It also requires preserving the dignity of the Yemeni people and respecting their legitimate rights as guaranteed by international laws and conventions.

Issued by the Entisaf Organization for Women and Children’s Rights

July 22, 2026