Living up to our responsibilities [Archives:2007/1081/Viewpoint]

Editor
Nisreen Shadad, a Yemen Times journalist, has been following the case of the illegal detention of more than 40 Yemenis including children, some of whom have been in Hajja governorate's prison up to 5 months. They were accused of supporting Houthism, whatever that means.

There are many aspects to this issue. To start with, there are no legal grounds for the prosecution or detention. More so, there had been no trial or estimation of how long the detainees will remain in prison. In fact, three of those arrestees are 15 years old, and another three are below 18 years of age. Even if whatever they had been charged with was true, their detention with adult criminals would do enormous damage to their psychological health and they may as well turn into vicious criminals themselves. It is because of this fact that Juvenile centres are created, but unfortunately in Yemen this issue does not receive the attention it deserves.

The relatives of seven prisoners contacted HOOD (National Organisation for Defending Human Rights) which then forwarded the plight of the detainees to the General Prosecutor in Sana'a. He in turn instructed the local security in Hajja to release of the detainees or give them a fair trial. The security in Hajja decided the detainees could be released if they guarantee not to indulge in any practice that would upset the government. Although the local Sheikhs and district MP provided the guarantee, the detainees are still in prison.

The story is bigger than merely 40 Yemenis illegally detained in Hajja. It is also more than imprisonment conditions for underage criminals. It is about the corrupt judiciary system Yemen has; how there is no respect for human life and human rights.

According to the international agreements Yemen has ratified, this country is accountable to its people and the international community for its deeds. Yet, the State cannot care more or less about either, since it gets away with whatever it does without much questioning.

And here comes the role of free media. Yemen Times is one of very few media outlets in Yemen that has taken up upon its shoulders to become the voice of the violated and raise their issues in order to be heard. What's new now is that we have decided to take up some cases chosen to illustrate a widespread problem, and we will persist with those cases until we have a satisfactory outcome. We will constantly remind the authorities and the stakeholders that we are watching and closely following up what they are doing.

We will help spread information and educate our readers on what is going on, and we hope that everyone takes it from there and in their own capacity helps set things right. This is the least each one of us can do if we really want to live up to our responsibilities as human beings and also as professionals. There is nothing more satisfying than being an advocate for good and making a difference in other people's lives.

So, dear readers, help us with our cause by letting us know if you come across similar cases in Yemen, and we will do our best to live up to our promise.
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