EU says concerned about situation in Yemen

(Adds trial, details, background)

LUXEMBOURG, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The European Union expressed concern on Tuesday over conflict in Yemen and urged the government to do more to protect human rights and guarantee international humanitarian law.

The government faces challenges from Zaidi Shi'ite Muslims in the north who have rebelled against central authority since 2004 and from separatists in the former South Yemen.

EU foreign ministers said in a statement after talks in Luxembourg that the 27-country bloc reaffirmed its support for a unified, stable, democratic and prosperous Yemen and reiterated its readiness to work with the government.

But they said stability was vital for Yemen and the region as a whole and added: "In this context, the Council (of foreign ministers) is deeply concerned by the deteriorating security, political and economic situation across the country."

Calling for political dialogue, they said: "In this respect, the Council insists on the obligation to respect human rights and international humanitarian law."

The ministers urged the government it to do all it could to allow civilians trying to escape from conflict areas to reach safety and to ensure access for humanitarian relief teams.

They said the EU recognised the political efforts made by the government towards democracy and stability. But foes of President Ali Abdullah Saleh complain of political and economic marginalisation by the Saudi- and Western-backed government.

The conflict in the north has intensified since the army unleashed Operation Scorched Earth on Aug. 11. Aid groups, who have been given limited access to the northern provinces, say up to 150,000 people have fled their homes.

A Yemeni court on Tuesday sentenced to death four men involved in the Shi'ite rebellion in the northern provinces bordering Saudi Arabia. Eleven were jailed for up to 15 years, and one was released after already serving out his sentence.

The United States and Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, fear the instability could allow al Qaeda a new base for operations. Saudi Arabia says a number of wanted militants have fled there. (Writing by Timothy Heritage; editing by Myra MacDonald)