More than 200 participants from across Yemen
A National Conference on the Human Rights Situation took place with over 200 participants from across Yemen, including Sana'a, Aden, Hadhramaut, Taiz, and Shabwa. The conference was organized by Mwatana for Human Rights under the title "Legacy of Gunpowder." It focused on the state of human rights in Yemen after ten years of conflict. The event was held on Wednesday and Thursday, September 11-12, 2024, featuring six sessions and 35 segments. Attendees included representatives of victims' groups, people with disabilities, marginalized communities, human rights defenders, NGOs, civil society organizations, feminist activists, academics, lawyers, judges, journalists, local mediators, and experts from all regions of Yemen. The conference was also streamed live, connecting attendees from various locations.
In her opening remarks, Radhya Al-Mutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights, called for the release of all detainees, including employees of humanitarian organizations and diplomatic missions, held by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group. She emphasized their efforts to uncover the fate of these individuals, enable family visits, and secure their release. Al-Mutawakel expressed hope that the conference would take place after their release, stating: "We have applied pressure and continue to exert significant efforts, and we hoped that this conference would be held after all detainees had been released."
She highlighted the suffering of Yemenis due to violations by all parties during the years of war, including attacks on schools, hospitals, mourning halls, cemeteries, and markets. She remarked, "There is hardly anything that has not been bombed in the last ten years." Al-Mutawakel also pointed out that starvation has been used as a weapon of war, and she listed arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and torture as further violations, stressing that all parties to the war, including the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group, the Saudi/UAE-led coalition, the internationally recognized government and its allies (such as Islah), the Southern Transitional Council, UAE-backed forces, al-Qaeda, and U.S. drone strikes, were responsible for these abuses.
She further noted that the greatest harm to Yemen during the war years was the near-total collapse of the state and the shrinking of civil space that had existed before 2014. This space, she said, was the result of decades of struggle by Yemenis and not granted by anyone. Al-Mutawakel underscored that the Yemeni people deserve a just democratic state governed by the constitution and law, and nothing less.
Al-Mutawakel concluded by stating that the conference was not only about sharing pain and suffering, though that was important, but also about contributing to the creation of a better future. She spoke of a draft declaration for the future that Mwatana had prepared for broader discussion.
In her opening remarks, Dutch Ambassador to Yemen, Janet Sieben, called for the immediate release of all detainees working for humanitarian organizations and diplomatic missions held by the Houthis. She said, "These detentions hinder the ability of workers to assist millions of Yemenis who are in desperate need," and expressed regret that there has been no response to the repeated statements from the UN Secretary-General and others. "We have all issued statements, and we will continue to do so to expedite the unconditional and immediate release of these detainees."
Ambassador Sieben also stressed that violations harming civilians continue, even during the truce that Yemen has experienced for over two years, and such violations, which occur in all areas of Yemen, contravene international law. She reaffirmed her country’s commitment to promoting just peace, which upholds rights and the rule of law.
Sieben praised the courageous efforts of Mwatana for Human Rights, expressing admiration for their work and bravery in continuing despite challenging circumstances. "We are proud to have been working with Mwatana since 2017 and remain deeply impressed by your work. We will continue to support your efforts."
The Absence of Accountability and a Compromised Judiciary
At the conference venue in the city of Taiz, central Yemen, the mother of forcibly disappeared (Abdulrahman Sabri Mohammed Yahya Harrab), who has been missing since October 20, 2017, at the hands of the forces of the internationally recognized government, delivered an emotional speech. She detailed her long and exhausting journey in search of her young son, who was forcibly disappeared by military formations in Taiz.
"We no longer feel safe. Our children go out into the streets, and we are terrified. They go to school, and we are terrified," said Maha Al-Hakimi, a representative of the families of the forcibly disappeared, summarizing the situation in Yemen due to the war and ongoing conflict since 2015. She spoke with deep sadness about her son, who has been missing for nearly eight years: "My son is a university student; they took him off the street. I want to know where he is, whether he is alive or dead. I demand to know his fate. They told me he is dead, but where is his body? I want to retrieve it."
Al-Hakimi added, "I sold everything I owned in search of my son and was subjected to extortion by people who promised information in exchange for money, but I received no answer about whether he is alive or dead." In desperation, she concluded, "I entrusted him to the Most Merciful after knocking on every door in search of my son."
The grieving mother also complained that some military and security leaders, as well as senior government officials, did not show her any compassion. When she visited their homes, driven by the hope of finding her missing son, they treated her with disdain: "They treat me like a beggar, but I am not a beggar. I don't want anything from them except to know where my son has been for the past eight years."
In another speech from the conference hall in Sana’a, Salwa Zuhra, daughter of General Ali Qanaf Zuhra, who was forcibly disappeared on the day of President Ibrahim Al-Hamdi's assassination 47 years ago, spoke on behalf of the Association of Families of the Forcibly Disappeared. After a deep, emotional sigh, she said, "We haven't felt safe since 1977, the year my father disappeared."
According to Salwa Zuhra, the head of the Association of Families of the Forcibly Disappeared, the issue of enforced disappearances is one that all parties agree to conceal: "We strive to reveal the truth and achieve the conditions for transitional justice." Zuhra added, "Enforced disappearance is one of the most heinous crimes humanity has ever devised. The war has left behind many forcibly disappeared, and this pain will not end except through transitional justice."
Sally Qahtan, Director of the Legal Support Unit at Mwatana, gave a presentation from the conference hall in Aden, discussing the legal support services provided by Mwatana. She outlined the organization's efforts to support victims of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and torture through a team of lawyers across different Yemeni governorates.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Mwatana, Mohammed As-Selwi, gave a detailed overview of the state of civil society in Yemen from the conference hall in Sana'a. He presented data and statistics collected by Mwatana's field teams, documenting the situation across all Yemeni governorates.
The First Session
Following the opening session, moderated by Safia Al-Sayaghi, Director of Projects and Programs at Mwatana, the first working session of the conference began. In this session, Abdulrasheed Al-Faqih, Vice Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights, presented an overview of the general situation and the state of human rights in Yemen. He discussed how decades of political conflict have led to numerous injustices and violations, calling on the warring parties in Yemen to take responsibility and show compassion for the grieving families of victims. He urged them to stop committing such crimes and to reveal the fate of hundreds of forcibly disappeared individuals, victims of both past and present political conflicts.
Al-Faqih emphasized that Yemen has witnessed widespread human rights violations throughout its political conflicts, leaving many families suffering from the pain of having their loved ones forcibly disappeared. He lamented that no one has paid attention to the people's suffering and the deteriorating conditions, pointing out that in the 21st century, Yemeni women are still carrying water on their backs, while landmines and explosives continue to threaten those trying to make a living. Meanwhile, the conflicting parties are preoccupied with their own arrangements, showing little interest in the voices of the victims. Al-Faqih also referred to Rwanda’s experience in overcoming the horrors of conflict and ethnic cleansing, suggesting that Yemen could draw lessons from Rwanda’s reconciliation and recovery.
Interactive Discussion
The interactive discussion that followed featured contributions from prominent figures in Yemeni civil society. Dr. Hamoud Al-Awdi, former journalists' union president Abdulbari Taher, and photographer Abdulrahman Al-Ghabri made opening remarks. Dr. Al-Awdi highlighted the need to address all forms of human rights violations, including those driven by hunger and deprivation. He described the situation in Yemen as a continuous catastrophe, stressing that human rights in the country have reached a tragic low. He praised the diversity of the conference, which brought together participants from various governorates, and emphasized the importance of speaking up for justice and defending human rights.
There was a consensus around Dr. Al-Awdi's call for civil society to act as witnesses to truth, not to judge, but to apply a methodology rooted in the principle: "Support your brother, whether he is the oppressor or the oppressed." He added that nothing can compensate those who suffer except recognition of their humanity, drawing parallels with South Africa’s post-apartheid healing process, where the belief in equality was key to addressing harm.
Former journalists' union president Abdulbari Taher noted that the presence of Yemenis from all walks of life at the conference demonstrated that divisions were temporary. He praised Mwatana for leading this extensive civil rights movement, tackling issues such as war crimes, education, enforced disappearances, and transitional justice—a matter of great importance, he said.
Angela Sultan, head of the Center for Strategic Studies to Support Women and Children, speaking from Taiz, highlighted the significance of this conference as the first major human rights event held inside Yemen rather than abroad. She stressed the importance of transitional justice and the need for collective efforts to address it, pointing out that all parties have evaded accountability.
A representative from the office of the UN envoy also emphasized that peacebuilding must be followed by comprehensive efforts to address the wider aspects of reconciliation and justice.
The head of the National Women's Committee in Shabwa emphasized the lack of public awareness about human rights issues, calling for more media and advocacy efforts to build a public consensus on these issues. Judge Rowaa Mujahid, Acting President of the Judges Club of Yemen in Aden, stressed the importance of holding such a conference after ten years of war and conflict, calling for Yemeni unity to build a peaceful nation. She also lamented the lack of accountability for violations throughout Yemen's various conflicts.
Judge Mujahid pointed out a key issue: the judiciary is incapable of holding violators accountable because it is compromised and unfit for its role. She argued that without accountability, there can be no transitional justice.
For his part, Judge Rashad Khamis of the Public Prosecution in Seiyun expressed his pride and honor in this free national voice and the gathering that brought together people from all regions of Yemen and segments of society. He emphasized that this free voice will be the foundation for mechanisms of accountability and justice against those who have committed crimes against the people.
While a participant from Al-Mahra Governorate stressed the need to stand against violators by all available means and unite for this cause, Khamis believes that the free voice is needed now more than ever and must be raised high. He asserted that there will be no independent judiciary or independence in any form without persistent pressure, follow-up, and tireless work. Referring to the Heritage of Gunpowder conference and Mwatana as examples, he stated: "You are lighting a candle in this overwhelming darkness."
Amani Al-Jubani, President of Siyaq Organization in Taiz, said: "This pioneering event is like a light in the darkness left by war and conflict. As agreed by the participants, it is a beacon that illuminates the path for civil society, restoring hope for those defending rights, equality, coexistence, and the fight against violations, injustice, and oppression." Al-Jubani added that the war and conflict have set Yemen back years, even decades, and therefore, there is a need for broad civil and human rights efforts to work on accountability and transitional justice.
Azal Al-Sabari from Ibb noted that poverty, marginalization, and hunger—outcomes of the war—are among the most egregious human rights violations. Ibrahim Al-Dula’i from Amran argued that violators must be held accountable, and they should not be treated as benefactors when they are merely asked to disclose their crimes.
Bushra Al-Saadi, head of the Together We Rise Foundation for Women and Children in Abyan, emphasized that defending human rights is not a crime. Despite the significant challenges, she underscored the crucial role of human rights organizations in advocating for a more just and humane future.
During the session, the film "Between Rwanda and Yemen" was presented, highlighting the urgent need for immediate action to establish independent international accountability mechanisms to address impunity in Yemen and pave the way for justice and accountability.
Following that, Mohamed As-Selwi, the Executive Director of Mwatana, showcased the "Interactive Maps," which display a comprehensive map of human rights violations since the beginning of the conflict in Yemen. These maps provide precise statistics and data on over 15,500 documented incidents of violations, affecting tens of thousands of civilian victims. The interactive maps also allow for various search options based on different inputs and outputs, including patterns, perpetrating parties, dates, locations, geographical areas, and civilian casualty numbers. Additionally, they offer a range of statistical indicators related to the organization's work on human rights violations.
The session on the interactive maps was followed by an open, interactive discussion, during which contributions were made by civil society activists from Aden, Taiz, Hadhramaut, Shabwa, Marib, and other regions.
The State of Civil Society and Human Rights
During the session, "Mwatana" Executive Director, Mohamed Al-Selwi, presented an overview of the state of civil society in Yemen, stating, "Humanitarian, human rights, and development work is currently facing a difficult and dangerous phase. Over the past ten years of conflict, the situation has never been as critical as it is now. Everyone working in this space is struggling to perform their duties."
Al-Selwi explained that, contrary to appearances suggesting an end to the war, various parties to the conflict have continued to violate the rights of civilians and restrict civil space. In recent years, these violations have escalated significantly, with a notable increase in arbitrary detentions, threats, restrictions on freedoms, and the suspension of the operations of civil society organizations.
Al-Selwi referred to a study conducted by Mwatana on civil space in Yemen during the armed conflict (2014-2023). The study included 70 active civil society organizations during the conflict period, selected from nine Yemeni governorates. The findings revealed that 94.3% of the local organizations involved in the study reported being directly subjected to restrictions, arbitrary measures, or severe and violent extralegal retaliatory actions. Additionally, 57.1% of the organizations in the sample reported the absence of any form of protection mechanisms from violations and restrictions.
The study also highlighted the most significant impacts on civil society performance. According to 65.7% of the organizations surveyed, repressive practices had widespread effects, including the forced cessation of activity for some local organizations, either permanently or temporarily, a reduction in field activities, or the implementation of low-impact activities due to direct arbitrary oversight.
The open interactive discussions focused on the importance of unifying civil society efforts to stop the war and creating a unified legal and human rights discourse.
Voices of Marginalized Communities and Persons with Disabilities
Abdullah Ahmed Bajari, the External Relations Officer of the National Network for Persons with Disabilities in Seiyun, which was established in 2020, and the Director General of Inclusive Education, highlighted the rise in violations against persons with disabilities, with approximately 4 million 900 documented cases. These violations include limb amputations, visual impairments, and mobility disabilities, among other injuries.
Bajari emphasized the need to pay attention to this marginalized group, which is often overlooked. He urged the "Legacy of Gunpowder" Conference to prioritize this group and shed light on the neglect and violations they face, which have increased significantly in recent times, expressing hope that these violations and resulting disabilities will cease.
In response, Abdulrasheed Al-Faqih, Vice Chairperson of Mwatana, assured that the issues raised by the representative of the National Network for Persons with Disabilities would be included in the conference’s documents and outcomes, and that Mwatana would prioritize this group in its upcoming programs.
Ahmed Al-Rumaili from the Socotra Archipelago pointed out in his intervention that, although human rights violations might not be as widespread there compared to other governorates, they are of a different nature, with a focus on environmental and cultural heritage violations. He highlighted how the UAE organizes an annual event supposedly aimed at preserving Socotra’s cultural heritage, but in reality, it is an effort to erase it.
Human Rights Organizations’ Presentations
In a session moderated by prominent lawyer Nabila Al-Mufti, several human rights organizations presented their work. Akram Al-Shawafi, President of the Rasd Organization, and Nasser Al-Khalifi, President of the Damir Organization from Shabwa, gave presentations on the challenging reality of human rights work. Participants then resumed their discussions, exchanging views on the subject. A keynote address was delivered online by Radwa Ashour, Human Rights Officer at the United Nations Office of the Special Envoy to Yemen.
Second Day of the Conference
On the second day of the "Legacy of Gunpowder" Conference, three working sessions were held, moderated by Khawla Al-Ruwaishan, Director of the Accountability and Redress Unit at Mwatana. The first session focused on launching a study on institutional reform in the security and justice sectors. Dr. Hani Al-Mughales, a political science professor at Sana’a University, presented and explained the key findings and recommendations of the study.
During the session, Abdulrasheed Al-Faqih noted that all of Mwatana’s studies, reports, and films were stored in the organization’s human rights memory for review, without the need for internet access. These were distributed to all participants across the governorates.
Participants also viewed the film "Unknown Fate," which shared painful stories narrated by relatives of those forcibly disappeared. A mother from Taiz recounted how her son disappeared under mysterious circumstances years ago, with no information provided about his fate. A father from Aden shared how his young son had been missing for years, with no trace of him or any updates on his whereabouts. A wife from Taiz recounted how her husband disappeared due to his public speeches. Meanwhile, the wife of Dr. Mustafa Al-Mutawakel described how her husband was detained at a checkpoint near the city of Marib, abducted from a bus due to his family name, and has been missing ever since.
The film also featured cases of forced disappearances from the conflicts of the mid-to-late 1970s, including the story of prominent General Ali Qanaf Zuhra. His daughter, Salwa, shared the tragic consequences that shattered their family’s peace, turning their lives into a nightmare as they searched for his whereabouts, holding onto hope for his return after more than four decades.
Human Rights Defenders
In a special session, participants discussed the situation of human rights defenders, following a brief presentation by Abdulmalik Jamaan from Wesatta’a Organization in Al-Jawf. This was part of a broader discussion on the general situation across Yemen’s governorates. Participants also watched the film "Death Traps," which highlighted the lives of several landmine victims. This was followed by a session on the challenges of fieldwork and a discussion on the draft "Yemeni Future Declaration." Participants emphasized the importance of establishing institutions that represent victims' interests, carry their concerns, and address their suffering. They praised the unique and vital nature of this conference under Yemen’s challenging conditions, noting the urgent need for unified efforts and voices to defend the people.
Transitional Justice Forum
The Transitional Justice Forum was one of the key sessions at the “Legacy of Gunpowder” conference. Speakers like Abdulrasheed Al-Faqih, Dr. Hamoud al-Awdi, and Dr. Hani al-Mughallis, along with other participants, discussed the topic of transitional justice. The session concluded with a presentation about the Transitional Justice Forum, which is set to be a major focus for Mwatana for Human Rights in the coming phase. The forum aims to foster productive discussions among a wide network of institutions, experts, and civil society organizations working in transitional justice. A draft of the "Yemeni Future Declaration" was also introduced, containing foundational materials aimed at creating pathways to strengthen and respect the rule of law, equal citizenship, transitional justice, and national reconciliation.
Participants from various regions of Yemen highlighted that the Heritage of Gunpowder conference is one of the most significant events in the country in over a decade. Beyond that, it marks a breakthrough against the restrictions and divisions imposed by authorities across the country, as it brought together participants from all governorates, including Mahra and Socotra. The attendees called for more conferences and events in the future due to their crucial importance and significant impact.
The participants also urged the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group to swiftly release all detainees, including staff from humanitarian organizations and diplomatic missions in Yemen. They also called on all parties involved in the conflict to lift restrictions on the work of civil society organizations and end violations.
Conclusion of the Conference
In the closing session, the EU Ambassador to Yemen gave a speech, congratulating Mwatana and the participants on the success of the conference, calling them "brave." He emphasized that human rights and democracy are core values of the European Union and reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting peace and sustainable development in Yemen. The ambassador condemned the recent arrests of civilians and activists, particularly in northern Yemen.
The EU Ambassador, Gabriel Vinals, praised Mwatana's work, acknowledging its strong partnership with the EU in protecting civilians in Yemen. He noted the continued human rights challenges in the country, particularly the violations of international humanitarian law. He also mentioned the recent negative developments, including the arrests of humanitarian workers in northern Yemen and the worsening situation in the Red Sea region, which has complicated the protection of human rights and led to the resurgence of child soldier recruitment, a practice that had been in decline over the past two years.
Mwatana's Chairperson, Radhya Al-Mutawakel, concluded the conference by thanking the EU ambassador for his support for rights and freedoms, as well as the EU's sponsorship of the conference. She reiterated the call for the release of detained workers from local and international organizations in Sana'a, affirming Mwatana’s ongoing efforts on this front.
Al-Mutawakel stated that this conference was held amidst an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, and “its very convening serves as an appropriate response to confront such terror and threats.” She revealed that Mwatana has faced, and continues to face, significant challenges, the most prominent being arrests, threats, and widespread smear campaigns.
Al-Mutawakel expressed immense happiness at seeing the broad and impressive diversity of participants from all regions of Yemen, from Saada to Socotra, emphasizing that "Mwatana's ability to organize this conference with such diversity is not magic, sorcery, or a secret, but rather a testament to its strength on the ground across all areas of Yemen." She attributed this to the organization's power, credibility, independence, and its ability to assert itself among all parties to the conflict.
She emphasized that Mwatana belongs only to the greater Yemen and its citizens, and rejects divisive identities. She stated, "Yemen has tried everything—tribalism, imamate, and others. What Yemen deserves is a united civil state governed by the constitution and law, a state of citizens with one identity: the nation." She reinforced that the majority of ordinary Yemenis share this belief, as they identify only with their shared national identity.
