SGCYI kicked off in Sana’a [Archives:2002/38/Front Page]

The second General Conference of Yemeni immigrants (SGCYI) will kick off today with the participation of around 300 persons coming from different countries. The Minister of Immigrants Affairs, Abdu Ali Qubaty told the Yemen Times the conference will spotlight the consequences of the September 11 incidents on Yemeni immigrants as well as the strategy of his ministry to take care of the immigrants, linking them closely with their homeland. It will also discuss the idea of establishing a bank for the immigrants.
The event will also discuss their investment, communities’ schools and other issues that may be of the concern to these immigrants. The minister said what makes this conference distinguished from the previous one is that it is represented by all Yemeni immigrants worldwide. Participants include intellectuals, businessmen, labors, and women.
The international immigration organization is represented in the event too. He pointed out that education and schools of communities abroad is one of the main problems the ministry tries to sort out as well as the facilities granted by the government to the immigrants.
The immigrants law which was passed recently granted the immigrants a number of facilities and privileges. He said recently the number of the schools for immigrants increased; they were facilitated in obtaining passports and the question of detainees in the US, Europe and Canada was followed up.
He added that a committee was set up recently including members from several ministries and government organizations to sort out the problems of immigrants inside. Some immigrants complained of being blackmailed by influential figures. They have either robbed them of their pieces of land or crippled their investment projects.
Mr. Qubaty said the remittances of the immigrants have decreased considerably after the September 11 incidents, mainly from the U.S.A. He stressed the government is working hard with the US authorities to lift the embargo imposed on the transfer of remittances of the immigrants. The remittances of these immigrants are a very good resource for the flourishing of the economy.
The government, therefore, wants to establish a bank for immigrants so as to attract them to invest their money at home. The minister said during this conference the bank will be established at a capital of YR 300, million. Chance will be given to immigrants to take part in the project. He said the September 11 attacks invited a lot of problems and harassment for Yemeni immigrants who were subjected to detention, murders …etc.
The ministry followed very closely their issues in cooperation with Yemeni embassies in the U.S, Europe and Canada.
Eighty four people were arrested but some of them were released. There are only 35 in jail, most of them are charged with violation of the immigrants laws.
He said they were provided with advocates and that the government is trying with respective countries to get their problems sorted out. But for those who were harassed or murdered, their cases are still before courts.

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