GENEVA—The UN human rights chief on Thursday called for an international investigation of rights abuses and violence in Yemen’s civil war, which has killed thousands of people, as he insisted that a domestic panel set up to look into violations has not been up to the task. Zeid, who is also a member of the Jordanian royal family, did not specify who would set up the international body, but he is expected to present the report’s findings to the UN Human Rights Council at its session next month. Last year, the council passed a resolution — brought by Saudi Arabia and its allies — that deferred to national investigators to report on rights abuses. Thursday’s report by the UN rights office also denounced the recruitment of child fighters in Yemen, civilian casualties linked to suspected U.S. drone strikes that target Al Qaeda’s local branch, attacks on human rights defenders and a crackdown on freedom of expression. UN-mediated peace talks in Kuwait between the warring Yemeni sides were suspended earlier this month with no signs of progress.

Source: thestar August 25, 2016 18:45 UTC