2006 marks child abuse [Archives:2006/943/Reportage]

By: Faisal Al-Safwani
With the beginning of 2006, a violence wave against children occurred in some Yemeni governorates, most notably Taiz and Ibb. It included rape, abduction, and murder, among other recurrent assaults.

A few months ago of this year, child abuse cases were reported in different governorates. During three months, eight cases of child murder were officially registered, among other similar cases that have not been exposed.

Here we shall survey some of these cases that have officially reported.

Sawsen

Sawsen is a nine-year-old child from Amran governorate. Her family reported to Amran's Security Department that their daughter Sawsen was raped by a fifty-year-old Sheikh in February 20. The case was then referred to the Prosecution for more investigations. Medical reports showed that Sawsen was really raped.

Azhar

Azhar is 13 years of age. She lives in Taiz governorate. She was abducted in February 6 after coming out of school. She is still missing, while her family members are still searching for her.

Safa'a

In February 25, the 15-year-old Safa'a disappeared in Taiz. On the same day, her family reported officially to the Security Department about the disappearance of Safa'a.

Two weeks later, she was found in one of Taiz's suburbs as she was lying on a road side. Investigations showed that after she left school somebody managed to abduct her and then raped her. she was left alone in a suburb and fell down in a dead faint.

Aiyda

Aiyda is an eight-year-old child from Taiz. An aged man from her village raped her, over which her father reported to the Security Department.

Hanan

In January 25, Hanan Abdullah, aged 6, was kidnapped while she was playing in front of her house in Taiz governorate. Her family reported to the security authorities about her abduction. She remained in abduction for 25 days. Investigations showed that the one who kidnapped her took her to Ma'aber city in Dhamar governorate.

Musheer Al-Zindani

Musheer is a three-year-old child from Ibb governorate. He was reported abducted in January 24 as he was playing next to his house. He has not been found as yet.

Basma

In February 18, the seven-year-old Basma went with her father, Abdullah, to school in Sana'a city. On their way to school, a car, on which four armed men were dressed in camouflage military outlifts, stopped him. They threatened him, hit him on the head, put Basma in a sack or garment and ran away. The efforts of security authorities succeeded in releasing Basma from abduction.
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