More than 2,000 dead in Yemeni uprising

SANAA, Yemen, March 20 (UPI) -- More than 2,000 people, including women and children, died in Yemen during last year's political conflict, the country's human rights minister said.

Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen's long-time president, bowed to pressure last year and signed a deal that ended his tenure in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Yemen for most of 2011 was caught up in the so-called Arab Spring.

Yemeni Human Rights Minister Horeya Mashour was quoted by The New York Times as saying thousands of people died during the political conflict.

"Many victims died, and according to initial reports, they are numbered to be over 2,000 martyrs, including 143 children and 20 women," she said. Mashour didn't indicate from where her figures derived. The Times notes her total is much higher than official estimates.

The United Nations objected to Saleh's immunity deal, stating anyone tied to atrocities in the country should face justice.

Saleh returned to Yemen last month after receiving medical treatment in the United States for wounds suffered during an assassination attempt last year.

Yemeni President Abed Rabu Mansour Hadi took control over the country after a one-man presidential election in February.