Holland helps human rights [Archives:2002/26/Reportage]

BY MOHAMMED H. AL-QADHI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
The Dutch Ambassador of Human Rights Renee Jones-Bos paid a visit to Yemen by invitation of the Yemeni Minister of Human Rights Dr. Wahiba Fare.
The Dutch ambassador met with several people in the government as well as civil society organizations last week. She told the Yemen Times that the Dutch Embassy is interested in increasing its efforts in promoting Human Rights in Yemen as part of an overall objective to improve the status of government in Yemen.
She said that the increased focus on government will most likely be addressed by the strengthening and reform of the legal system and its reform.
Holland already supports the HRITC (Human Rights Information and Training Center) in Taiz, the Forum for Civil Society and the publication of the Al-Qistas magazine.
She stressed that human rights awareness is important for complete development starting with our children. She added that they want to look at development of human rights in the school curriculums.
Abuses against press freedom
When asked about the violations and abuses of press freedom and free expression in Yemen, the Dutch ambassador said she discussed such issues with the Yemeni authorities as well as NGOs. She said it is a positive thing that there is a government in Yemen that is interested in human rights and pointed to the Minister of Human Rights as indication of that. But that doesnt of course, mean that the whole situation is perfect she observed, adding, and people here know that also. One of the concerns is the rule of law and the status of the media sector. We have asked about the freedom of the press. The problems are there and we have to keep working on them.
With regard to the rule of law, and people kept in prisons without trials, she said she had discussed this issue in all openness with both Yemeni officials as well as representatives from the civil society.
I hope the events of September 11 will not have a negative influence on human rights because this is what you hear in every country that after these events governments use the combat of terrorism as an excuse to oppress people. I think it is very important that even if you must combat terrorism, you must stick to human rights principles and give people a fair trial and access to lawyers, she commented.
The Dutch government is also looking into a program to support the media sector, however no specific decision has been made yet. The ambassador said, the press is an important area of attention she stressed that the freedom of expression is very important basis for human rights. If people can discuss different views openly and freely that pushes the democracy development drive ahead. She emphasized that it is the responsibility of the press to make good investigation reports that arent mixed with gossip.
She made clear that human rights is a process and that it needs time to mature.
It is a matter of persistence and steady work. The results cannot be immediately seen, she said.
The Dutch ambassador stressed that human rights is one of the important components of the Netherlands foreign policy as well as the European Unions.
Holland is one of the biggest donor countries in Yemen.

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