Subject

Freedom of Belief

Freedom of religion is a fundamental right that is guaranteed by Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and other conventions and legislation aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination based on religion or religious belief and ensuring respect for the conversion of an individual to chosen religion and worship without any undue interference by persons or authorities. Although the Yemeni Constitution provides for freedom of religion, the various authorities in Yemen have not complied with the minimum standards stipulated in international conventions and national legislation to ensure respect for religious minorities. Mwatana has documented that groups of civilians belonging to religious minorities were discriminated against on the basis of their religious beliefs. They have suffered a number of violations, such as arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, and even death sentences based solely on their beliefs. The parties to the conflict have imposed their power and explicitly denied people's right to profess and practice their religious beliefs, which is a violation of their fundamental human rights.