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West must pressure Saudi Arabia over peace in Yemen: Activist

Monday, 11 April 2016 5:31 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 11 April 2016 5:30 PM ]

Yemeni children stand amid rubbish at a slum in the capital Sana’a, on March 12, 2016. (AFP photo)

Press TV has interviewed Ajamu Baraka, a human rights activist in Cali, about Saudi Arabia’s war machine using every last minute for more attacks against Yemenis before a UN-brokered ceasefire takes effect.

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: How do you see this? What exactly do you think is going on when right before the ceasefire Saudi Arabia is increasing its military forces in one of the provinces?

Baraka: I think it is the [continuation] of business as usual for the Saudi authorities who have been allowed to act with virtual impunity in Yemen. It is clear that they are committed to maintaining their influence that dominates in the country and they are attempting to entrench themselves in the country in order to undermine the territorial integrity of Yemen.

So again, until there is real pressure put on the Saudi authorities to end the aggression in that country, then we are going to continue to see these half-hearted attempts to bring about a peaceful resolution in Yemen but we are going to continue unfortunately to see the continuation of mentality of war and suffering.

Press TV: Where does this pressure have to come from? You say it is said basically until pressure is put on Saudi Arabia, but if we look at the situation, we look basically for example the United States and its allies that they are not exactly upset with what Saudi Arabia is doing in Yemen. Where do you think the pressure should come from?

Baraka: There is an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in that country that requires that the states that claim to be the upholders of human rights to put a leash on their ally – Saudi Arabia. That pressure has to come from the Western governments that are primarily responsible, in particular the US, in providing political, diplomatic, military support and cover for the Saudi authorities.

Look, everyone is benefiting from this war in the West. The Saudis have been on a shopping spree in the last few months buying arms primarily from Western countries.

So if the West is serious about defending the human rights of the people in Yemen, they will put pressure on their ally to bring about a peaceful resolution in that country.

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