In connection with your upcoming visit to Yemen, I am writing to share our concerns and recommendations regarding the humanitarian situation of civilians affected by the armed conflict between Huthi rebel and government forces in the north of the country.

Human Rights Watch welcomes the UPR Working Group report on Yemen, and seeks to further urge the government to implement fully the accepted recommendations.

At least 87 persons, the majority women, children, and the elderly, were killed in aerial bombings in northern Yemen today, a witness to the attack and others reported.

Human Rights Watch is writing to you with regard to the armed conflict currently taking place in Sa`da governorate and other areas of northern Yemen.

Human Rights Watch is writing to acknowledge receipt of your fax communication of June 22, 2009 in which you indicated that the forces under your command will respect the laws of war in the conduct of any hostilities with government or other forces.

Yemeni officials and rebel leaders should ensure that their forces fully respect the laws of war in the ongoing armed conflict in northern Yemen.

The apparent suicide of a Yemeni detainee at Guantanamo Bay underscores the urgent need for the United States to reach agreement with Yemen on sending uncharged prisoners home.

Yemen's government should immediately cease attacks on independent newspapers and scrap plans for a special court to try media cases.