Calm precedes storm in Yemen capital while deadly battles continue in Taiz

By Mohammed al-Kibsi Yemen’s defected army forces have deployed more tanks and military vehicles onto the streets that they control in Sana’a and same did the tribal militias of Sheikh al-Ahmar. Eyewitnesses said that the defected army lead by General Ali Mohsen have deployed more tanks and military vehicles and more troopers onto the zones surrounding Sana’a university and other zones to the west of Sana’a. Also eyewitnesses that came from al-Hasaba and Sofan neighborhoods in the center and north of Sana’a said that the tribal militias affiliated to Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar and his brothers have entrenched their military barracks on the streets of al-Hasbah and Sofan neighbourhood on Saturday. Eyewitnesses also said that security forces loyal to president Saleh have deployed more military vehicles and sat uo checkpoints on the hot spots areas in al-Hasabah and demarcation lines on Zubairy street, Zira’a street and other streets. Meanwhile reports from Taiz said that Yemeni troops have clashed with defected army troops and militias of Islah Islamist party in the past few days. Opposition sources said that seven people were killed in the latest fighting, bringing the death toll to 30 since Thursday. BBC quoted a medical source as saying three of those killed in the latest fighting were civilians - the others were soldiers and opposition fighters. Meanwhile government sources said that the First Armor division forces ‘defected army’ and militias of Islah party have attacked several zones and captured some neighbourhoods in Taiz. The same source said that the defected army forces and their allies killed son of Sheikh in Taiz in addition to killing five soldiers and an officer. The source said that the Islah militias killed Colonel al-Kalai in front of his family in Taiz before they took his corps with them. The General Committee of the General People Congress Party in its meeting chaired by President Saleh on Saturday hold Islah party accountability for escalating the situations in Taiz. The committee called on the ambassadors of the permanent member stats of the Security Council, European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council to visit Taiz and find about who was behind the escalations. The committee denounced the alleged looting of public and private properties being committed by the militias of Islah and defected army in Taiz. Taiz has been a major centre of unrest during months of protests against President Abdullah Saleh. Correspondents say the latest fighting threatens a power-transfer agreement signed by president Saleh in Riyadh. Under the deal reached last month, President Saleh handed over to Vice-President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi and agreed on forming an interim government chaired by the opposition in which the current ruling party shares fifty percent of its ministerial bags.

Dar al-Salam promotes peace in Yemen provinces

By Majid al-Kibsi Yemen Observer Dar al-Salam organization held a workshop in Sana’a to promote peace and cohesion in the governorates of Abyan, al-Jawf and Lahj on Sunday November 27. The workshop which was held in partnership with the European Union aims at training peace promoters to raise awareness in conflict areas. Abdul-Kareem Qasim, Professor of Islamic Philosophy in Sana’a University assured that the project was promoting public peace. “The project targets the governorates of Abyan, Lahj and al-Jawf, which suffer the highest rate of violence,” said Qasim. He added “in the project we will focus on the youth, sheikhs and the key figures within the society.” In a presentation by Dr. Qasim stressed that “violence increases in areas that have strong tribal bonding.” According to Qasim, tribal conflicts between families differ from an area to the next. In al-Jawf, conflicts mostly revolve around land borders as in Lahj and Abyan, it is more about irrigation water. He also assured that although the communities in question rejected violence they were forced to resort to it. “A dangerous notion is circulating within the international community that Yemen has over 60 million illegal arm pieces which is damaging the investment sector greatly. Truth is, these arm pieces are not carried but rather stocked,” said Qasim. He further added “Not all Yemenis carry weapons, we cannot generalize a regional trend and apply it nationally.” Ahmed Mohsen Ali Jarras, a sociological researcher from al-Jawf governorate talked about the reasons behind the conflicst. “There are some parties which have interest in increasing conflicts; some Sheikhs have shown good will in trying to stop armed confrontations while others have been promoting them as it serves their interests.” According to Jarras, some of the ancient tribal values have been eradicated, replaced by acts of banditry. “The road used to be a sacred place, a public place. Now people are being kidnapped, robbed or even killed.” During the workshop, Sheikh Abdulrahman al-Marwani announced that there were over 270 activists in the governorate of al-Jawf. Dar al-Salam organization is also intending to promote peace and understanding, especially during the presidential elections on February 2012.

Fighting violence against women in Yemen continues

By Fares Anam A Mozambican activist said that there can be no peace on Earth as the war is still on-going at home. She stressed that violence against women was still continuing throughout the World. Coinciding with the launch of the global campaign entitled 16 Days of Activism to End Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) celebrated with the National Women Committee on November 25th, the International Day for Anti-Violence Against Women, which also marks the beginning of the 16 days campaign. “This aims to create a symbolic link between violence against women on one hand and human rights on the other and to make sure that any violent practicing against women is considered a violation of human rights in general and their rights and the rights of their children,” said UNFPA officials to journalists during a media meeting held on Tuesday. “From Peace in Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women,” read a banner, which was set up to illustrate this year’s message. Recent conflicts in Yemen have led to the displacement of a great many numbers of families in the provinces of Sa’adah and Abyan, putting mostly women and children in difficult and precarious situations. In such humanitarian circumstances, it has been proven that women are more vulnerable to violence than other groups. “The current situation affected women and increased violence against them. There are women who are forced to flee their homes with their children without their husbands or belongings, which makes them more vulnerable,” said UNFPA Representative in Yemen, Marc Vandenberghe. Vandenberghe focused on the importance of sustained partnership between the media, the Fund and civil society organizations to raise citizens’ awareness on women’s issues, especially anti-violence against them, which violates human rights in general and the rights of women and children in particular. The UNFPA in cooperation with the NWC led the “16 Days campaign” this year through the launch of a number of events and activities aimed at raising community awareness of the phenomenon of violence based on gender. During the meeting, a Yemeni film entitled “Hope remains” was shown which showcased the persecution of women and the use of violence against them throughout force marriages and imposed illiteracy. The film also exposed several communities› state of minds towards women and the prevalence of violence. Violence against women and girls takes many forms, such as rape, physical abuse, and harassment in the workplace, schools and traditional practices as well as genital mutilation. Furthermore sexual violence in armed has considered the most important obstacle to achieve full equality between men and women as stated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon in a speech rendered for the occasion. The campaign is considering a worldwide strategy calling on for the end of all forms of violence against women and inviting civil society to play a key role in spreading the concept of security. Yemen is working under the system of international charters and conventions which will help to hold the government responsible for the protection of rights (Beijing curriculum and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Commission in addition to the UN Security Council resolutions No.1325 on women, peace and security, and so on). All participants in the meeting agreed that the most effective ways to raise awareness among people in regards to violence against women were through developing media means which would help promote a change in the stereotyped images that society has of women and using prominent religious figures in urging men to respect women rights. There are also other important factors that must be achieved like funding public media campaigns to broadcast specific messages to the definition of violence, its forms and its methods of treatment, as well as holding more awareness meetings and seminars on the topic of violence against women. “The UNFPA relies a lot on the media to discuss these issues seriously which raises people›s awareness of such issues and work side by side with the competent authorities to combat violence against women for an environment free from violence,” Vandenberghe said.

Children of refugees: a story of conflict and smuggling

By Taghreed Abdul-Hamid Jawaher a 17-year-old Somali girl who was smuggled to Yemen by a group of traffickers 2 years ago, recalled her tragic ordeal when she told the Yemen Observer what horrors she was subjected to in her homeland. As Jawaher was witnessing the brutal murder of her mother by the hands of Ethiopian soldiers, she rushed to pick up her baby sister, hoping to save her from the hands of death. The gang then turned to her and raped her…she was only 10. Then the men went on killing her brother and father, indifferent to the little girl’s cries of terror. As Jawaher is telling her story, tears are streaming from her eyes, and her sobs are preventing her from going any further. Sadly, Jawaher is one of many refugee children who suffered from violence. The Department of Child Protection in Foundation of IDF organized for 3 days on November 29th, a training course with its implementation partner, the UNHCR under the slogan: together in order to reduce violence and trafficking of children. Khadrah Ali, officer of Child Protection in IDF who coordinated the training course said that the session aimed at training 40 children of both sexes, male and female within the age group of 10-17 years. “These children selected among 134 children refugees will benefit from the services of the IDF; as most were affected by either verbal physical or sexual abuse, whether at home or during their smuggling into Yemen”, she added. “The course was designed to highlight and promote awareness amongst the community of the risks that children are faced with in such situations.” Khadrah stressed that most children did not even realized that they had been smuggled. “Some gangs promise to give the children jobs then just take the little money they have to better leave to their fate, abandoned on the side of the road. Those course address the definition of violence, smuggling and identify to them what their rights are.” Samira Hadi, one of the course coaches, said that the interaction of the children was positive, as the course represented to them a chance to express what was going on inside of them. Hamza, a 13-year old Ethiopian child trainee, has been plagued by a series of incidents which shattered his innocence are now weighting heavy on his heart and soul. Subject to the fierce violence in his homeland, Hamza decided to flee Ethiopia for Yemen hoping that the boat which was carrying him would bring him to safer shores. While walking in al-Safia neighborhood in Sana’a, the capital he was attacked by 2 Yemeni boys who robbed him of his 10,000 YER which had just been given to him by the IDF to support himself and of his mobile phone. The boys also tried to sexually assault him but failed. Such treatments are not foreign to Hamza as for the past few months he has been subjected to verbal and physical abuse. Despite such hardship Hamza did not hesitate to express his happiness and enthusiasm for this session because it shed light on what he had been exposed to It made him realize that he had rights and that there was hope after all. Ali expected that the trainees in the end of the session would learn how to protect themselves from violence and realize what rights they had and who could ensure they were uphold. He further pointed out that a subsequent session would take place next year, aiming helping children to overcome the psychological effects caused by violence. The IDF doesn’t only provide financial assistance, health and rehabilitation for these children, it also offers them legal support. Ali stressed that in order to eradicate violence against children the state needed to play a much more visible role, promoting awareness with the Yemeni community.

International NGO seeks to raise awareness on female genital mutilation as part of an international campaign

By Majid al-Kibsi Thirty refugee women were gathered in Sana’a to learn more about raising awareness on the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) during a 3 day training which ended on Tuesday November 29th. The training course which was organized by the International Relief and Development (IRD) aimed at raising awareness in the field of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV). It was organized on the occasion of the “16 Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV)” which seeks to raise awareness on sexual and gender based violence around the world. This year is the 21st anniversary of the 16 days campaign that seeks to raise awareness of SGBV, and the training course was carried by the IRD in collaboration with UNHCR and other NGOs. “It is a united call for an end to such violence in all its forms,” said Ameena al-Muflihi, the community based daycare coordinator of IRD. She added “Despite increased awareness and actions to combat SGBV, women continue to suffer from this practice in alarming numbers.” Andrew Knight, IRD’s Community Services Support Project Manager mentioned that this training was being held within the framework of “16 Days of Activism” adding that a second training would take place next week targeting men. Knight stressed that the training would benefit far more than just the 60 men and women present as the candidates would be taught outreach techniques and programs to implement within their communities. “From November 25th until December 10th, activities around the World will be carried out to fight violence against women (SGBV),” said Knight adding that FGM was just one of many forms of violence against women. According to Knight, ignorance and traditions are the biggest obstacles in this campaign. “Some people think that FGM is an Islamic practice but the Sheikh of Azhar in Egypt himself announced many years ago that FGM is NOT an Islamic practice.” The training course included 30 women in the first phase and 30 men in its second phase. “The reason why we are separating men from women is so t the participants feel free to speak their mind,” said Knight. “While FGM is primarily a women’s issue, it is often the men who are the decision-makers in the family and should also be targeted,” he added. The women who participated in this program are expected to raise awareness among their societies. Some of these women have themselves experienced and suffered greatly from this practice. Um Najeeb, a woman in the beginning of her thirties assured that she will not make her daughters go through the same suffering she went through. “I still remember when I was circumcised when I was a little girl,” said um Najeeb. “I was five years old when the woman in charge of the operation was circumcising the older girls in the age of 10 and older. She turned to me and said to my mother ‘why don’t I circumcise her on the way’ my mother didn’t agree at the beginning saying that I am still young, but the women encouraged her and said ‘It’s ok’. She continued telling her story “I was held down by the women in the house and I was circumcised by a knife with no anesthetization, I still remember this until today. I was shaking in pain and fair, and I couldn’t sleep. I was waking up in my sleep shouting as if I was feeling the pain of the knife. I had my period in the age of 13, but in the age of 16 my period stopped. I was having infections and it was etching and when I was in the hospital, I was told that I should remove the sewing of the circumcision but I did not accept that, I thought that it will be a shameful.” Um Najeeb gave birth at the age of 19, her baby’s eye was swollen and closed. “When I opened it with my hands I didn’t the eye, I saw flawing pus, it was due to the infections I had. The doctors treated me and my daughter, and I was intending to have my daughter circumcised, but now I am not.” Another Somali woman called Maymonah, she was having swollen leg, and according to her, the reason was the circumcision. “I was circumcised by the age of 6. The strings used for sewing the circumcision reached deep in the skin and it caused swelling in the place of the circumcision.” Maymonah mentioned that in her society, it is a shame not to be circumcised. “When I gave birth for my first baby, the doctor had to cut the sewing place with scissors for the baby to come out, and it was sewed after the birth. This also happened when I gave birth to the second and third child.” In her fourth baby Maymonah was in a coma and the pregnancy period was longer than a year and she had a high blood pressure that the fetus almost died. Maymonah thinks that the reason was that the woman who carried the circumcision operation did not used clean tools, therefore she was in pain after the circumcision and she did not married after her husband died. Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” FGM is typically carried out on girls from a few days old to puberty. It may take place in a hospital, but is usually performed, without anesthesia, by a traditional circumciser using a knife, razor, or scissors. According to the WHO, it is practiced in 28 countries in western, eastern, and north-eastern Africa, in parts of Asia and the Middle East, and within some immigrant communities in Europe, North America, and Australasia.

Olympic cyclist Emma Pooley launches a campaign to Save a Yemeni lady from death penalty

By Fares Anam Olympic cyclist Emma Pooley launched a campaign to save Yemeni lady Fatima Hussein al-Badi who was sentenced to death after allegedly murdering her husband, Hamoud Ali al-Jalal in 2001. Amnesty International Organization aired a video clip of the English champion appealing to stop the death sentence of al-Badi, and requesting from everyone to send a message to Vice President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi on behalf of AIO urging him to save Fatima’s life. “Over the past fifty years, these messages have proven to have a significant impact on presidents and officials as they know that the World is watching them, making it more difficult for them to go through with the sentence,” Pooley said in her video message. “Can you take a few minutes of your time to write a message that could save the life of Fatima?” she asked. “In the past fifty years, Amnesty International supporters wrote messages like this. We know that writing letters is having a result. Together we will be more powerful.” Amnesty says that Fatima Badi who was convicted of murder in 2001, faces the death penalty despite a court ruling in 2003 that stated she did not participate in the killing of her husband. “Fatima was arrested with her brother for the murder of her husband al-Jalal in July 13, 2000. During the interrogations, she was threatened of rape in the presence of her brother, who confessed tothe murder in order to save his sister,” said Amnesty. In her letter to VP Hadi, Pooley wrote, “during Fatima’s interrogation by the police, she was threatened of rape and denied access to a lawyer. In a number of her trial hearings she had no legal representation and was prevented from speaking in court.” Fatima was reportedly questioned by the police for more than five hours during the night, without a lawyer. “Abdullah apparently only confessed to the murder in order to save Fatima from being raped,” said Amnesty. In February 2001, the Court of First Instance sentenced Fatima and her brother to death, and the Court of Appeal upheld the sentence in August 2002. In September 2003, the Supreme Court found that Fatima Hussein Badi did not participate in the killing of her husband, but participated in concealing his body, and her sentence was to four years’ imprisonment. However, the verdict for the death penalty was later on approved again and ratified by President Ali Abdullah Saleh. In May 2005, her brother was executed. “I therefore urge you to commute Fatima Hussein Badi’s death sentence, as she was convicted following an unfair trial,” Pooley addressed VP Hadi. “I call on you to ensure that Yemen works towards the abolition of the death penalty, and ask that all defendants in Yemen be tried in accordance with international standards for fair trial, including ensuring that all defendants have access to legal representation and adequate time and facilities to prepare a defense.” Emma Jane Pooley (born 3 October 1982) is an English professional cyclist and Olympic silver medalist (2010-2011). Pooley was the 2010 World Time Trial Champion and is a former British Road Race and Time Trial Champion.

Conflict and chronic poverty leave millions of Yemenis in need of relief – UN official

Source: UN News center Large segments of the population of Yemen are enduring chronic deprivation exacerbated by the breakdown of the delivery of essential social services as a result of civil unrest and widespread violence, a senior United Nations relief official who just returned from the country said today. “We are seeing rates of malnutrition in young children comparable to those in Somalia,” said Catherine Bragg, the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, who completed a four-day mission to the country earlier this week. “A third of the population… doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from, [amid] a looming health crisis,” Ms. Bragg, who is also the Deputy Relief Coordinator, told reporters at UN Headquarters. She said scarcity of resources and the growing influx of refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa have placed further strain on host communities, who are increasingly in need of assistance themselves, especially in the form of food, health care, sanitation and clean water. Humanitarian agencies are requesting a total of $452 million for relief work in Yemen next year, a 35 per cent increase from this year. The funding will cover food and nutrition, water, sanitation and health and ensure that the most vulnerable people receive the assistance they need, Ms. Bragg said. “In 2012, we and our partners will expand humanitarian programmes so that we can reach as many as possible of the 3.8 million people across Yemen needing life-saving aid. This figure includes internally displaced people, refugees, as well as the host communities,” she said. She travelled to Aden in the south, Harad’h in the north, and the capital, Sana’a, to assess the crisis, discuss with partners ways of responding to the growing needs and ensure that the authorities understand the gravity of the situation. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by the fighting in Abyan Governorate in the south in recent months, she said, adding that most of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) are living with host families or in school buildings in Aden and neighbouring governorates. “I spoke to the local authorities about the need to find lasting solutions for people sheltering in the schools. I also underlined the fact that humanitarian workers must have independent access to all areas where civilians are being displaced.” In the north, about 300,000 people remain displaced by the conflict in Sa’ada. Many of them are unable to return to their homes because of insecurity, fear of retaliation, and loss of livelihoods and assets. Several aid agencies have had to reduce their presence because of threats made by armed groups, Ms. Bragg added. In her meetings with Government officials, Ms. Bragg urged them to expedite procedures for issuing visas to international non-governmental organizations staff so that aid workers can set up operations in the country faster.