Event information

13 December 2018, 18:30-20:00

Downloads

Flyer >

War in Yemen: Psychological Impact on Individuals, Families and Communities

Event

Yemen, Saada, Haydan district, Fawt. Looking at his destroyed home and smashed car, a man is overwhelmed by sadness. Yemen, Saada, Haydan district, Fawt. Looking at his destroyed home and smashed car, a man is overwhelmed by sadness.

 Sanaa logo    ColumbiaLawLogo
Three years of civil war and regional military intervention in Yemen has left the country with a crumbling economy and without a government or civil services. In 2017, the United Nations (UN) declared Yemen to be the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. As a consequence of the conflict, Yemenis face frequent exposure to violence, which, compounded by widespread economic insecurity, starvation, fractured social ties, poverty, the absence of basic services, and governmental neglect, has created a serious risk of a mental health crisis. Despite the known long-term adverse psychological effects of war, mental health issues in Yemen have largely been neglected by both domestic authorities and the international community.

The year 2018 has brought with it new challenges and opportunities. While the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with 22.2 million people in need of humanitarian assistance or protection, the UN plans to host consultations with the main warring parties this December in Stockholm, Sweden. Although attempts at negotiations failed earlier this year, there is new, unprecedented momentum for the UN’s broader efforts in ending the conflict in Yemen.

The event – co-organized with the Columbia Law School Human Rights Clinic and the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies – will focus on the implications of the war on mental health and well-being of Yemenis. It will also discuss the previous UN-sponsored peace negotiations on the conflict in Yemen, and the opportunities and challenges facing the upcoming consultations.

Opening Remarks

  • Marco Sassòli, Director, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

MODERATOR

  • Amanda McNally, Columbia Law School Human Rights Clinic

PANELISTS

  • Fawziah al-Ammar, Senior Research Fellow, Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies
  • Waleed Alhariri, Head of the US office, Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies
  • Annyssa Bellal, Strategic Adviser on International Humanitarian Law and Senior Research Fellow, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

A general view of participants during the 54nd session of the Human Rights Council News

New Paper Unlocks the Potential of the UN Human Rights Council in Global Conflict Prevention

3 November 2023

Our new policy brief Delivering the Right to Peace: Towards a Reinforced Role of the Human Rights Council in the UN's Peace and Security Framework delves into the possibilities of enhancing the Human Rights Council's involvement in the UN's peace and security functions.

Read more

Yemen,  Sana'a, Faj Attan. Damages to civilian buildings following the fighting. News

A Yearly Global Assessment of IHL Compliance

8 February 2024

We are excited to announce the launch of a new project consisting of the publication of a yearly global annual report assessing compliance with international humanitarian law in contemporary armed conflicts.

Read more

Burning oil fields in Kuwait Event

The Prosecution of Ecocide and Other Environmental Crimes: State of the Law and Way(s) Forward

11 April 2024, 12:30-14:00

This IHL Talk will explore various issues related to the prosecution of ecocide and other environmental crimes.

Read more

Event

Launch – International Humanitarian Law Rules, Controversies, and Solutions to Problems Arising in Warfare, 2nd Edition

9 April 2024, 12:30-14:00

In this launch event, key experts will comment and dialogue with Professor Sassòli on specific aspects of the book, including naval warfare and the law of neutrality, sources of IHL, IHL and human rights, as well as the classification of armed conflict

Read more

Afghanistan, Parwan detention facility. Inside a room where detainees of the prison, separated by an acrylic glass, are allowed to meet with their families a couple of times per year with the help of the ICRC employees who facilitate the programme. Short Course

Preventing and Combating Terrorism

25 April - 17 May 2024

This online short course discusses the extent to which states may limit and/or derogate from their international human rights obligations in order to prevent and counter-terrorism and thus protect persons under their jurisdiction.

Read more

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

Read more

A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Environmental Human Rights as a Tool in Early Warning and Conflict Prevention The Role of the Human Rights Council

published on January 2024

Erica Harper, Baïna Ubushieva

Read more

Cover page of the publication Publication

Delivering the Right to Peace: Towards a Reinforced Role of the Human Rights Council in the UN's Peace and Security Framework

published on October 2023

Erica Harper, Adam Day

Read more