Yemeni NGO releases report on human rights and democracy [Archives:2006/956/Front Page]
SANA'A, June 18 ) Yemeni Human Rights Observatory (YHRO), a non-governmental organization, held a news conference last Thursday where it announced the first annual report on human rights and democracy in Yemen for 2005.
YHRO Chairman Dr. Mohamed Al-Mekhlafi said the report concentrated on rights, freedoms and violations and abuses against them, as well as contained detailed information about human rights and aspects of democracy in Yemen.
Al-Mekhlafi confirmed that the state's weak structure, wars, tribal revenge and kidnappings. coupled with corruption, constitute a primary barrier to Yemen's democratic transformation.
The report indicated that Yemeni legislation is suffering a crisis hindering both human rights protection and required democratic transformation. It argued that most laws put into effect impact constitutional clauses by restricting freedoms, particularly the Demonstration Law, which denies citizens the right to stage peaceful protests.
According to the report, the Constitution is experiencing a crisis represented by concentrating authorities in executive bodies; however, it ensures political plurality. The report mentioned that 2005 witnessed nationwide abuses of freedoms due to weak enforcement of Yemeni laws, wars, conflicts and revenge, coupled with the state's weak structure.
Another important point the report highlighted is that Yemen suffers violence, deprivation, discrimination and elimination via official practices. It also indicated that children's rights lack empowerment and are exposed to inhuman abuses, while Yemen's government hasn't shown good will to improve children's situations.
The report emphasized that the current electoral system neither can enhance the democratic experience nor will it support peaceful transfer of power. Additionally, the system excludes women and is controlled by a single party.
The seven-chapter report discussed basic rights of self-expression, obtaining information, peaceful demonstration and securing government jobs and freedoms. It also explained social, economic and cultural rights, as well as rights of children, women and refugees, in addition to press freedoms.
Several chapters of the report focused on democratic transformation, its obstacles and necessary steps for democratic and political reforms.
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