Nobel laureate activist calls on Houthis to accept ceasefire

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Monday 11 May 2015 - 14:27 Makkah mean time-22-7-1436 Tawakkol Karman (Anadolu/Image) Istanbul (IINA) – Yemeni Nobel prize winner human rights activist, Tawakkol Karman, called on Houthis to accept ceasefire and participate in the political peace process in Yemen. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ms Karman delivered a message to the Houthis saying: “I call on the Houthis to accept the cease-fire offer, to announce their readiness to give up all weapons and to withdraw from all areas within a specified period of time. Within that period, a referendum on the new constitution, which was drafted according to the discussion at the dialogue conference, should take place.” She went on to say: "I call on the Houthis to transform into a political party that participates in the political sphere and stands far away from violence and the use of force. We hope they can do that in order to avoid themselves and the country the agonies (of war).” Karman said that the Houthis and their ally, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh "should understand that they are the reason behind all that has happened and is still happening in Yemen in terms of war and violence." "There is still a chance for them to give up the path to violence as there is room for everyone in our homeland and Yemen provides an abundance of national partnerships that do not exclude anyone," she added. The Nobel laureate explained the steps to be taken for a possible peace in Yemen, suggesting "a simultaneous end of war and violence in Yemen within a specific period of time, during which the armed militias shall withdraw and hand surrender their weapons to the state, which is the only party that has the right to bear arms." "Also, the withdrawal of armed militias from all areas and cities and for the state to have the exclusive right to control the country's territories and to ensure  that all required measures taken to prevent the flow of weapons by sea, air or land to anyone, other than the state," Karman demanded. AB/IINA