Mwatana Renews its Call for the Release of Arbitrarily Detained and Forcibly Disappeared Individuals
In a statement launching the #RamadanWithTheirFamilies campaign, dedicated to demanding the release of detainees, Mwatana for Human Rights emphasized that the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan presents a national, humanitarian, and religious opportunity to take the initiative to release civilian detainees and reunite them with their families so they can observe the rituals of this sacred month in their homes. Mwatana stressed that the fate of thousands of detainees and their families rests on the willingness of leaders from all parties across various areas of Yemen to open official and unofficial detention facilities under their control and release those arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared, who remain hidden behind these walls in clear violation of the law.
Radhya Al-Mutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights, stated: “Despite the tragic nature of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance, the families of detainees cling to hope with the arrival of Ramadan each year, anticipating the release of their loved ones through humanitarian initiatives, which have in the past resulted in the release of thousands of detainees in previous years.” Al-Mutawakel added: “Despite these important initiatives, thousands of detainees still languish in dark cells, and their fate remains dependent on the decisions of Yemeni party leaders. Thousands of families eagerly await these leaders to fulfill their humanitarian and national responsibilities by releasing the detainees and ending their suffering and that of their families.” She continued: “As the leaders of the parties prepare to welcome the month of Ramadan and gather with their families and loved ones around the iftar table, they must take the initiative to fulfill their duty by releasing those detained under their authority.”
Since the beginning of the conflict, Mwatana for Human Rights has documented successive waves of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance carried out by formations and agencies affiliated with various parties across Yemen. Over the years, these practices have targeted thousands of civilians, causing immense suffering for victims and their families and resulting in catastrophic humanitarian, economic, and social impacts on social peace and stability. Despite the cessation of direct military operations between the parties, campaigns of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance have continued at an alarming pace.
Through its network of lawyers across various Yemeni governorates, Mwatana for Human Rights provides free legal support to victims of enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, torture, and arbitrary denial of procedural justice. These violations are committed by all parties to the conflict against individuals, in clear contravention of constitutional and legal guarantees and in violation of the principles of justice.
Every year with the arrival of Ramadan, Mwatana for Human Rights launches the #RamadanWithTheirFamilies campaign, aimed at shedding light on the suffering of those arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared and the anguish of their families and loved ones, with the goal of supporting them and contributing to efforts for their release.
Mwatana urges all influential actors to stand in solidarity with the victims of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance and their families, to highlight their suffering, and to contribute to efforts aimed at securing their release.
Mwatana calls on all parties to the conflict to immediately and unconditionally release those arbitrarily detained, reveal the fate of the forcibly disappeared, and enable them to spend Ramadan with their families.
