August, 15 2016, 03:45pm EDT
For Immediate Release
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Yemen: Bombardment of MSF Hospital a Deplorable Attack
The Saudi Arabia-led coalition's aerial bombardment of a hospital supported by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Yemen is an atrocious attack that could amount to a war crime, Amnesty International said today.
The Abs Rural Hospital which was hit at around 3:30pm local time, has treated 4,611 patients since MSF began to support it in July 2015.
The Saudi Arabia-led coalition's aerial bombardment of a hospital supported by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Yemen is an atrocious attack that could amount to a war crime, Amnesty International said today.
The Abs Rural Hospital which was hit at around 3:30pm local time, has treated 4,611 patients since MSF began to support it in July 2015.
"The bombardment of this hospital is a deplorable act that has cost civilian lives, including medical staff who are dedicated to helping sick and injured people under some of the most challenging conditions. Deliberately targeting medical facilities is a serious violation of international humanitarian law which would amount to a war crime. The circumstances of this attack must be thoroughly and independently investigated," said Magdalena Mughrabi, Amnesty International's Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme.
"Today's air strike appears to be the latest in a string of unlawful attacks targeting hospitals highlighting an alarming pattern of disregard for civilian life."
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all. Our supporters are outraged by human rights abuses but inspired by hope for a better world - so we work to improve human rights through campaigning and international solidarity. We have more than 2.2 million members and subscribers in more than 150 countries and regions and we coordinate this support to act for justice on a wide range of issues.
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