United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the UN Human Rights Council to set up an independent body to investigate rights abuses and other violations in Yemen, especially following last weekend's "horrendous attack'' by the Saudi-led coalition on a funeral hall.
The UN chief told reporters on Monday that Saturday's airstrikes in Yemen's capital Saana, which killed over 140 people and injured more than 525 others, were the latest disasters in the Yemen conflict, which has left over 20 million people in need of humanitarian aid.
"Aerial attacks by the Saudi-led coalition have already caused immense carnage and destroyed much of the country's medical facilities and other vital civilian infrastructure,'' Ban said.
"Bombing people already mourning the loss of loved ones is reprehensible.''
"This latest horrific incident demands a full inquiry,'' he said.
"More broadly, there must be accountability for the appalling conduct of this entire war.''
Earlier on Monday, UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein denounced the airstrikes and faulted the Human Rights Council for not doing more in the face of a "climate of impunity'' in the impoverished, war-torn country.
He reiterated his calls for an independent investigation of abuses in Yemen, which the 47-member Geneva-based council, which includes Saudi Arabia, all but ignored at its last session in September.
Ban noted Zeid's call and said his strong message to the Human Rights Council, especially after Saturday's attacks, is "to fulfill its duty and act.''
