The Republic of Yemen recently participated in a regional expert meeting focused on missing persons in the Middle East and North Africa. This significant event took place in Baghdad, Iraq, highlighting the urgent need to address this humanitarian issue.
Ihsam Al-Shaari, the Director General of Organizations at the Ministry of Human Rights, emphasized the Yemeni government’s strong commitment to addressing the plight of missing and forcibly disappeared individuals. He described this issue as both a humanitarian and national concern of utmost sensitivity. Al-Shaari noted that the Houthi militia’s coup in 2014 exacerbated the situation, leading to an unprecedented increase in cases of enforced disappearance.
Al-Shaari revealed that the Houthi militia operates over 250 unofficial detention centers, housing more than 2,000 individuals who have been forcibly disappeared. He outlined the government’s comprehensive approach, which relies on national legal frameworks and international obligations. This includes signing relevant international agreements, activating specialized state institutions, and strengthening the legal and institutional frameworks related to human rights.
The Yemeni government has fully committed to implementing the Stockholm Agreement, releasing thousands of Houthi detainees as part of humanitarian initiatives. In contrast, the militia has only released a limited number of civilians, including journalists who faced unjust sentences after years of enforced disappearance.
Al-Shaari stressed that the ongoing control of militia groups over parts of Yemen poses significant challenges in uncovering the fate of missing persons and achieving justice for their families. He urged the international community and relevant organizations to enhance cooperation, provide technical support, and contribute to addressing this critical humanitarian issue. He underscored that resolving this matter is essential for achieving lasting peace in the region.
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