Response to USAs Human Rights Report on Yemen needs to have: Enough words, more action! [Archives:2002/23/Viewpoint]

The Yemeni Presidential Office has unveiled the official and formal response to the American Foreign Secretarys report for 2001 on Yemen. The response is a right that Yemen has practiced.
Nevertheless, taking advantage of the democratic margin that we enjoy in the press, I allow myself to criticize this response. Even though we have the right to respond to the US report, I feel that the response was not the most suitable one.
Instead of finding justifications, reasons, factors, and excuses, one should be strong and courageous enough to face the problems with action first. Then words can follow. What I have seen is little action, but a lot of talk.
The American report may have included false information that could be considered unjust by the Yemeni government. But looking back into the report, we could see that it only serves to point out to what is committed against Yemeni people. Regardless of who wrote the report, and why it was written, we cannot deny that it includes many facts and cases of truly cruel inhumane conditions that should be changed.
We may not agree with all of the report, but why not work together with the Americans to find a way? We can cooperate with the ones who investigated those cases and wrote the report and see how accurate they were. We can pay field visits to prisons, villages, and regions where the cases were reported. Once we are there, as American and Yemeni representatives we can identify how precise the report was, and at the same time provide solutions to whatever problem there may be at that particular site. Once the American side sees the facts for itself, it could write a correction, or even a future amendment to its report, and that would serve us better.
What I want to say is that we should always have action proceeding words. It is much better for our credibility and respect in the world to show that we care about what is written on human rights in Yemen, and we are acting positively.
There may be as always – some people who may try to interpret my words as a challenge to the presidents opinion on things. But I am sure he will realize that my objective is for the sake of Yemens image and reputation and not a baseless criticism.
People who have been subject to human rights violations and continue to be so will certainly be disappointed with the response. They are fed up with words and justifications, they want to see the light at the end of the tunnel and be saved from the injustice they are in.
Dear President,
I am not objecting to the response as an idea, but I want to say that the response could have been stronger if it was proceeded by or at least enforced with some action. There are people in prison, who expect action. There are people going through unbelievably harsh conditions, who are waiting for their rescue.
As a great achiever for Yemen, you are seen as the person who will stand strong by the right of people to live decently in justice and harmony. We have hope in that your next response will be stronger, and will be full of solid action for the sake of saving Yemens human rights conditions from any further deterioration.

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