The current conflict in Yemen has resulted in a highly catastrophic and tragic situation, both in terms of the repercussions on the humanitarian situation and in terms of the repercussions on rights. Warring parties have resorted to a pattern of violent practices and systematically violated human rights. Perhaps the gravest result of the extended conflict is the normalization of violence and violent methods  across the country, which has been exacerbated by policies and practices that prevent individuals and communities from using other options and methods to seek solutions. Warring parties have adopted aggressive policies and restrictive procedures that have suffocated the civil space in the country, closed the public space, and undermined peaceful expression. The warring parties oppress these channels of expression, which are beneficial to society. Instead what reigns in Yemen is oppression, and discourses of war that are destructive to rights and freedoms.

The war in Yemen has escalated and expanded geographically, and the number of armed entities has increased, which has further undermined rights and freedoms. Despite this, and in the midst of a raging war that has been going on for more than six years, the largest Yemeni cities, such as Sana'a, Taiz and Mukalla, have seen large groups of society come together in peaceful gatherings and marches that raised human rights demands and slogans rejecting the war.  The phenomenon of continued, peaceful assemblies during wartime indicates that, despite the normalization of violence and the suffocation of the civil space in the country, people in Yemen are continuing to find means of peaceful action to raise their demands, and clearly indicates that the warring parties do not hold a monopoly on Yemeni society, and that many in Yemeni society do not see their demands represented through the warring parties. The fact that people continue to protest highlights that peaceful assembly remains an option for individuals and groups seeking to express their demands, and that their right to peaceful assembly must be promoted and advocated.

Respecting and protecting the right to peaceful assembly plays a fundamental role in building a tolerant society of coexistence, open to pluralism and difference. Mwatana believes that it is necessary to work on advocating the right to peaceful assembly, including during times of war, and as an entryway through which people can regain their sway on public affairs and express their demands for rights and freedoms. This research paper highlights of what constituted the exercise of this right of a social choice that exists outside the agenda of the warring parties and their means.