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Human rights issues must be made an urgent priority in efforts to stop the war.
to stop the war and believe Mwatana for Human Rights is closely monitoring the latest developments in the Yemeni crisis. While we welcome all diplomatic efforts aimed at stopping the war and believe that such movements are important for achieving peace, we stress the need to prioritize human rights issues when discussing any political settlement. Our work has always been based on the fact that military solutions to crises are bound to fail, and that dialogue is the most effective way to prevent further disasters in Yemen. Now, it is not too late to address the numerous humanitarian issues that cannot be overlooked in the pursuit of self-interest and political power-sharing. We have observed in the past how the notion of serving the public interest dwindled when opportunities arose to settle the conflict and divide the spoils for which the war broke out and never ceased. We urge all parties involved in the conflict to engage in constructive dialogue to comprehensively end the war and swiftly implement effective solutions to address the human rights and humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict. Since the fall of 2016, thousands of Yemenis have been deprived of their government job salaries, their primary livelihood source promoting rational discourse, rejecting hate and arrogance, and eliminating discrimination based on any criteria is crucial. As a result, they are now classified as among the hungry in global indices and cannot afford any further delay in receiving their salaries. Any postponement in addressing this economic hardship indicates an intention to prolong their suffering and serve the continuation of the war.The issue of arbitrary detention and forced disappearance is one of our top priorities in our urgent appeals. Hundreds of Yemeni civilians, both men, and women, have fallen victim to incitement, sharp polarization, and the adoption of aggressive and treacherous discourse, leaving their families to suffer. While we appreciate international efforts to release a large number of detainees in a prisoner exchange agreement, we see the recent peace efforts as an opportunity to unconditionally release all those who have been arbitrarily detained by the various parties, and most importantly, reveal the fate of those who are still classified as forcibly disappeared.Roads and access, as well as the right of Yemenis to smooth movement, are also a high priority. Our work and close experience of the situation make it clear that this issue reflects the parties' willingness to make concessions for the sake of the vast majority of Yemenis. Forcing people to travel on bumpy roads and limiting their movement is tantamount to collective punishment.The closure of international ports, airports, and Yemeni ports, as well as the prevention of essential goods, basic commodities, medical supplies, and medicines from arriving, is directly related to the suffering of defenseless civilians who pay the highest price. It is in their best interest to end all restrictions and return the situation to what it was before September 21, 2014.We also look forward to giving the issue of mines and explosive remnants must also be prioritized. If the parties to the war reveal their war maps, these deadly weapons can be removed from the path of thousands of displaced families who are destined to return to their homes. The Yemeni rural community depends on agriculture and grazing, and these weapons cause significant economic costs.Viewing the current crisis as solely political, or as a power struggle among privileged groups, lies at the core of the short-sightedness that has turned the Yemeni crisis into vicious circles that have no end. Looking back over a decade, it's clear how this crisis has escalated, particularly since the 2011 popular uprising demanding broader political, social, and economic reforms. Therefore, any power-sharing agreement must address these underlying issues to prevent a return to square one.Moreover, it is essential to consider the issue of democracy and the people's right to decide when discussing the future of the country in any transitional stage. Yemen is a diverse and dynamic country, and this diversity should be reflected in the governance formula, with fair and inclusive representation that allays everyone's fears, and eliminates the mentality of exclusion, confiscation, or seizure of power by force. More than 12 years have passed since the start of the crisis, and a transitional justice system must be put in place to ensure accountability and redress for civilian victims.Granting any form of immunity will not heal the rift, nor will it achieve sustainable peace. This division has also created a significant gap among Yemenis and severely damaged their social fabric. Therefore, it is crucial to promote rational discourse, reject hate and arrogance, and eliminate discrimination based on any criteria.Additionally, let us not forget the natural and acquired right of Yemeni women to live in dignity. Their years of struggle for equality and empowerment were abruptly disrupted by the sound of missiles and bombs, and radical misogynistic rhetoric once again took center stage in the crisis.We reiterate our call for all parties, whether local, regional, or international, to engage in dialogue and build trust among themselves. We also urge for this dialogue to be expanded to include all political and social segments, and not limited to those who are armed or behind barricades. We express our happiness for the Yemeni families who have finally had the opportunity to reunite with their children and loved ones after years of separation and deprivation.
