Demand to suspend Saudi Arabia's position in Human Rights Commission

The Dhaka Times Desk Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have demanded the suspension of Saudi Arabia's membership in the United Nations Human Rights Commission due to allegations of widespread human rights violations in Yemen.

The two international human rights organizations said in a joint statement that Saudi Arabia has been committing "massive" human rights abuses at home and abroad. The opportunity to sit on the Human Rights Commission is also hindering the impartial investigation of potential war crimes.

The two organizations have asked the UN Human Rights Commission to suspend their membership until the Saudi-led coalition's military operations in Yemen end and a fair investigation into allegations of human rights abuses is carried out.

It should be noted that Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies have been conducting indiscriminate airstrikes for the past year to suppress the Houthi rebels in the neighboring country of Yemen. There are also allegations that cluster bombs are being used there.