United Nations Security Council Resolution 2511 – The situation in the Middle East
Resolution 2511 (2020)
The Security Council,
Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions and statements of its President concerning Yemen,
Reaffirming its strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen,
Expressing concern at the ongoing political, security, economic and humanitarian challenges in Yemen, including the ongoing violence and enforced disappearances, and threats arising from the illicit transfer, destabilising accumulation and misuse of weapons,
Emphasising the environmental risks and the need, without delay, for access of UN officials to inspect and maintain the Safer oil tanker, which is located in the Houthi-controlled North of Yemen,
Reiterating its call for all parties in Yemen to adhere to resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation, reject acts of violence to achieve political goals, and refrain from provocation,
Reaffirming the need for all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law as applicable,
Expressing its support for and commitment to the work of the Special Envoy for Yemen to the Secretary-General in support of the Yemeni transition process,
Expressing its alarm that areas of Yemen remain under the control of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and about the negative impact of their presence, violent extremist ideology and actions on stability in Yemen and the region, including the devastating humanitarian impact on the civilian populations, expressing concern at the increasing presence and future potential growth of the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh) affiliates in Yemen, and reaffirming its resolve to address all aspects of the threat posed by AQAP, ISIL (Da’esh), and all other associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities,
Recalling the listing of AQAP and associated individuals on the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List and stressing in this regard the need for robust implementation of the measures in paragraph 2 of resolution 2253 (2015) as a significant tool in combating terrorist activity in Yemen,
Noting the critical importance of effective implementation of the sanctions regime imposed pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) and resolution 2216 (2015), including the key role that Member States from the region can play in this regard, and encouraging efforts to further enhance cooperation,
Welcoming the work of the Panel of Experts on Yemen, established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014),
Recalling the provisions of paragraph 14 of resolution 2216 (2015) imposing a targeted arms embargo, and calling on all Member States and other actors to comply with the targeted arms embargo,
Condemning in the strongest terms violations of International Humanitarian Law and violations and abuses of International Human Rights Law, including those involving conflict-related sexual violence in Houthi-controlled areas and recruitment and use of children in armed conflict across Yemen, as recorded in the Panel of Experts’ final report (S/2020/70),
Expressing alarm over the obstacles that have been imposed on the work and access of the Panel of Experts during the course of its last mandate,
Expressing serious concern at the devastating humanitarian situation in Yemen and all instances of undue hindrances to the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance, including the recent interference in aid operations in Houthi-controlled areas as well as obstacles and the undue limitations on the delivery of vital goods to the civilian population occurring throughout Yemen, which is preventing vulnerable people from receiving the assistance they need to survive,
Emphasising the necessity of discussion by the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 19 of resolution 2140 (2014) (“the Committee”) of the recommendations contained in the Panel of Experts reports,
Determining that the situation in Yemen continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,
Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
- Reaffirms the need for the full and timely implementation of the political transition following the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, in line with the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, and in accordance with its previous relevant resolutions, and with regard to the expectations of the Yemeni people;
2. Decides to renew until 26 February 2021 the measures imposed by paragraphs 11 and 15 of resolution 2140 (2014), reaffirms the provisions of paragraphs 12, 13, 14 and 16 of resolution 2140 (2015), and further reaffirms the provisions of paragraphs 14 to 17 of resolution 2216 (2015);
3. Emphasising the importance of facilitating humanitarian assistance, decides that the Committee established in paragraph 19 of resolution 2140 (2014)(hereafter, the “Committee”) may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt any activity from the sanctions measures imposed by the Security Council in resolutions 2140 (2014)and 2216 (2015) if the Committee determines that such an exemption is necessary to facilitate the work of the United Nations and other humanitarian organisations in Yemen or for any other purpose consistent with the objectives of these resolutions;
Designation Criteria
4. Reaffirms that the provisions of paragraphs 11 and 15 of resolution 2140 (2014) and paragraph 14 of resolution 2216 (2015) shall apply to individuals or entities designated by the Committee, or listed in the annex to resolution 2216 (2015)as engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of Yemen;
5. Reaffirms the designation criteria set out in paragraph 17 of resolution 2140 (2014) and paragraph 19 of resolution 2216 (2015);
6. Affirms that sexual violence in armed conflict, or the recruitment or use of children in armed conflict in violation of international law, could constitute an act, as specified in paragraph 18 (c) of resolution 2140 (2014), and therefore a sanctionable act of engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of Yemen, as described in paragraph 17 of that resolution;
Reporting
7. Decides to extend until 28 March 2021 the mandate of the Panel of Experts as set out in paragraph 21 of resolution 2140 (2014), and paragraph 21 of resolution 2216 (2015), expresses its intention to review the mandate and take appropriate action regarding the further extension no later than 28 February 2021, and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary administrative measures as expeditiously as possible to re-establish the Panel of Experts, in consultation with the Committee until 28 March 2021 drawing, as appropriate, on the expertise of the members of the Panel established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014);
8. Requests the Panel of Experts to provide a mid-term update to the Committee no later than 28 July 2020, and a final report no later than 28 January 2021 to the Security Council, after discussion with the Committee, and also that they include information, as appropriate, about the commercially available components which have been used by individuals or entities designated by the Committee to assemble unmanned aerial vehicles, water-borne improvised explosive devices, and other weapon systems, and bearing in mind that this request should not have an adverse impact on humanitarian assistance or legitimate commercial activities;
9. Directs the Panel to cooperate with other relevant expert groups established by the Security Council to support the work of its Sanctions Committees, in particular the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team established by resolution 1526 (2004) and extended by resolution 2368 (2017);
10. Urges all parties and all Member States, as well as international, regional and subregional organizations to ensure cooperation with the Panel of Experts, and further urges all Member States involved to ensure the safety of the members of the Panel of Experts and unhindered access, in particular to persons, documents and sites, in order for the Panel of Experts to execute its mandate;
11. Emphasises the importance of holding consultations with concerned Member States, as may be necessary, in order to ensure full implementation of the measures set forth in this resolution;
12. Recalls the Informal Working Group on General Issues of Sanctions report (S/2006/997) on best practices and methods, including paragraphs 21, 22 and 23 that discuss possible steps for clarifying methodological standards for monitoring mechanisms;
13. Reaffirms its intention to keep the situation in Yemen under continuous review and its readiness to review the appropriateness of the measures contained in this resolution, including the strengthening, modification, suspension or lifting of the measures, as may be needed at any time in light of developments;
14. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 8732nd meeting, on 25 February 2020
