U.S. Human Rights report on Yemen: various violations and some commendations [Archives:2006/928/Front Page]

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March 13 2006

By: Yasser Al-Mayasi

SANA'A, March 11 ) The U.S. State Department issued its annual human rights report Wednesday, March 8. Despite mentioning all previously tackled issues, this year's report, which includes Yemen, is somewhat different, focusing on several concerns topped by human rights.

The report indicated many violations that do not reflect the Yemeni government's viewpoint, are not connected with political activity and do not represent official government policy. Examples include some security force abuses and the behavior and private prisons of some sheikhs. There are also legal violations mentioned under the War on Terror.

The report pointed to the Yemeni government's respect for human rights in some fields, yet, according to the report, its conduct in other fields remained weaker. The government, other parties affiliated with it and security forces intensified harassment of journalists and political critics. The report listed several abuses of journalists by name. In several instances, the report praised Constitutional laws, but said they are violated and not implemented.

The report highlighted a number of problems connected with human rights, among them are those concerning citizens' ability to change the government, inhumane treatment and recognized torture. It pointed out that Yemen's Constitution prevents torture and inhumane treatment; however, Ministry of Interior security forces tortured and mistreated citizens accused of violent crimes during detention and interrogation. It noted that Yemen's government admitted the torture, though it is not official policy.

The report admitted decreased torture and cruelty in Ministry of Interior prisons, saying such torture is committed due to illiteracy of some police personnel, as well as corruption and pressure exerted by officials to extract confessions during interrogation. The report also noted deteriorating situation of prisons, arbitrary detentions and lengthy arrests without charge.

Judiciary weakness and restrictions imposed on press and free speech were included in the report. It also tackled the Yemeni government's lack of transparency and discrimination against women, children and labor rights, as well as discrimination and oppression in the community.

Regarding the report's focus on free expression and press freedom, it listed several instances of oppression and abuse against Yemeni journalists, criticizing laws and Constitutional provisions that impose press restrictions. It also criticized routine methods, procedures and fees for newspapers and magazines to obtain operating licenses.

Concerning detention of journalists, the report mentioned a number of arrests, stating, “Although no more journalists were arrested, the government and other unidentified bodies affiliated with it or its security apparatuses intensified pressure on independent and partisan newspapers. Such pressure included telephone threats to journalists and their family members, attacks on their homes, indefinite detention, supervision and follow-up. This caused journalists to impose self-censorship, fearing government reaction.”

The report referred to convictions against some newspapers including the weekly Al-Tajamo,' mouthpiece of Al-Tajamo' Unionist Party. The paper was closed for six months, with its chief editor and another editor being convicted for publishing an article that triggered an ethnic conflict.

The report also mentioned the independent Al-Hurriyya newspaper that was closed and sealed with red wax. The court issued a two-year prison sentence with hard labor for chief editor Abdulkareem Sabra and journalist Abdulqawi Al-Qobati. However, they received a stay of judgment following an appeal. Their conviction was due to publishing a 2004 article criticizing the president.

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The report spoke of armed individuals, presumably government affiliates, who confiscated Al-Shoura newspaper. Afterward, they allowed a new pro-government administration to take over the paper's management.

On August 23, unidentified men thought to be security kidnapped Al-Wasat independent newspaper chief editor Jamal Amir. They took him to an unknown location, beat and urinated on him and interrogated him about his relations with foreign embassies during his six-hour kidnapping. They threatened to kill him if he continued criticizing the government.

Air force soldiers arrested London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi correspondent Khalid Al-Humadi in September following his reporting on a military plane crash. Soldiers demanded he write a pledge not to write about military affairs as a condition for his release.

The report also mentioned the detention of journalists in other cases including Al-Jazeera Channel journalist Ahmed Al-Shalafi and photographer Ali Al-Baidhani, arrested while filming Sana'a Spinning Factory employee protests. An-Nahar newspaper chief editor Hajie Al-Jihafi was injured July 17 when he opened a booby-trapped letter attributed by sources to a tribal chief.

The report mentioned a number of journalists and attacks to which they were subjected including journalist Mohamed Saleh Al-Hadiri because of articles he wrote in Socialist Party mouthpiece Al-Thori newspaper. Journalist Mohamed Sadiq Al-Audaini and Nabeel Subai' also were mentioned for an assault upon them by armed men near their Sana'a home.

The report also mentioned the closing of Al-Shoura and Al-Thori newspapers, saying more than 12 cases were filed against Al-Thori and chief editor Khalid Salman. The report tackled other incidents involving other newspapers.

The first official reaction to the U.S. report came from the governmental 26 September network. It described the report as a method adopted by the U.S. Administration to serve its policies in different parts of the world, including the Arab region. It added that U.S. policy is suffering a setback, as is the case in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A source said the Human Rights Ministry will issue a report focusing on the U.S. report's points, asserting that most of them relied on opposition viewpoints, who want to strengthen their position with foreign forces. The source added that the U.S. report relied on unspecified information.

The governmental source also said the report ignored many facts and developments promoting human rights in Yemeni law and legislation. The Yemeni source expressed sorrow at the report's unspecified information, asserting that it is a circulation of opposition viewpoints which aim to destabilize security by falsifying social and public facts. The source called on the opposition to interact responsibly and care about Yemen's achievements and good when they base their speeches on such reports.

Ultimately, the U.S. report praised the Yemeni government's positive efforts in encouraging women and the reform process.
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