52nd Anniversary of Human Rights [Archives:2000/49/Reportage]
The world will soon celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the World Declaration for Human Rights. The World Declaration for Human Rights was announced on December 10 1948 at a time Yemen was still under the yoke of colonization and Imamate Rule, where The 26th September and 14th October revolutions could be considered as the real step in the struggle for freedom and human rights.
In spite of the fact that Yemen signed a number of human rights agreements, many violations of human rights during the 1970s and 1980s occurred owing to the dominant political situation that banned pluralism and the confrontations between the two Yemens.
Yet, the unity of the two Yemens in 1990, changed all the past concepts. And Yemens commitment towards respect for and protection of human rights has been more obvious.
In 1982, the whole world including Yemen presented a valuable gift to the nation by establishing an international court to prosecute human rights violators disregarding their positions.
On freedom of press as part of human rights, Yemen has achieved considerable success. Mr. Mahbob Ali, chairman of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate was elected as vice chairman of the Arab Journalists Syndicate two weeks ago in Jordan is an indication of the level Yemen has reached.
The UN resident coordinator Mr. James Rwali hailed Yemens commitment towards all human rights agreements and the development achieved during the past few years in this respect, confirming the UNs support to Yemen in order to improve peoples situation specially that of women and children.
Reports of the Amnesty International for 1997-2000 show some shortcomings that have been addressed. For this Yemen ranks higher than many other Arab countries.
Still Violations exist
Despite all the above, still there are a number of behaviors that tarnish Yemens image in this regard. Violations are still committed especially at the Criminal Investigations and prisons owing to lack of awareness among the personnel about the nature of their jobs. Most officers and soldiers need to be trained in human rights, and to respect them not to violate them. People also must be trained and educated on how to defend their rights. In addition, the General Authority of Immigration, Passports and Neutralization and Authority of Civil Registration overstep their proper bounds of authority when dealing with partially Yemeni citizens (Mwaladeen).
Most of the violations observed in Yemen result from cultural, social and political backwardness.
Yemen has made great efforts to cope with the spirit of contemporary human civilization after it realized that the human rights principles are not imported western ones but rather humanitarian. However, we still have a long way to go.
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