Front Page - Issue 31

31 - July 31st thru August 7th 2000, Vol X

As Bizarre as Can Be
JAIL DISCOVERED IN SANAA UNIVERSITY

Following instructions by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Hussein Mohammed Arab, Interior Minister, accompanied by Abdulwahab Al-Radhi, Capital Secretariat Security Director, Mohammed Naji Allaw, Chairman of National Authority for Defending Human Rights and Liberties (NADHRL,) Civil Society Organizations and some journalists lunched a campaign to check detention pending investigations and private jails in the Capital Secretariat. The campaign visited seven prisons during which the lack of health services, prevalence of diseases and overcrowding were what struck everybody's eye. It resulted in the release of some of prisoners who were illegally detained. But what was the most shocking and unbelievable discovery was that of Sanaa University's private jail, which is expected to raise a lot of debate and public concerns.
In a statement to the Yemen Times, Mohammed Naji Allaw, NADHRL chairman talked about the goal of the campaign and said "The campaign was launched to check some Detention Pending Investigations in the capital secretariat following a report issued by the NADHRL about violations of human rights in Sanaa University. The campaign also aimed at checking the way by which Law Enforcing Authorities deal with prisoners in these prisons and investigating other private jails which are considered against the effective laws. So far, we have visited some prisons and it was clear that in some prisons some pressing measures are to be taken to improve their condition. However, some other prisons are convenient and up to the standard."
The words of Mr. Allaw say it all, "To our dismay, we came to find a private jail in Sanaa University. The private jail was a container located in the campus of the Faculty of Legislation and Law."More on report page...

Zindani Prohibited from Leaving the Country, and Sahwa Attacks YSP

Tension between official media, controlled by the PGC, and that of the Yemeni Congregation for reform (Islah) is still a beast in the bay.
In new developments in the official campaign against Al-Zindani, the Ministry of Information asked last Wednesday forbidding him from leaving the country until he is brought before court for the complaint raised against him by the Ministry staff.
According to official sources, a number of cooperative societies are planning to raise a case against Al-Zindani for illegally seizing land pieces surrounding Al-Eiman University and making them part of the university. The attorney general has referred the complaint of the Ministry to the West Secretariat Capital Prosecution which is expected to summon Al-Zindani for interrogations in two days, informed sources said.
Sheikh Al-Zindani is presently the head of Al-Shoura Council for the Islah party and President of Al-Eiman University. During 1993-1994 he was a member of the Presidency Council. His relations with the government worsened after the ejection of the Islah from the ruling coalition in 1997. He started criticizing the government openly for normalization with Israel. This was followed be his refusal to take part in the latest presidential election last December. Away from exchanging accusations with the PGC newspapers, Al-Sahwa began last week to involve the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP) as part of leaders of the campaign against Islah. Sources close to the two conflicting parties expect conflicts to reach climax in nearby future. Political observers have noticed the absence of leaders of the two parties, President Saleh and Sheikh Al-Ahmar in the conflict.
In his speech delivered before students of Al-Eiman University two weeks ago, Zindani attacked journalists and the government for keeping silent against what he called as abusing God's identity.
On the other hand, Minister of information, Mr. Abdul Rahman Al-Akoa criticized Al-Zindani last Monday in his meeting with journalists. The Yemen Times has met with a number of journalists and politicians and asked about their opinion in connection with the conflict between the two parties.
More on law & diplomacy page

Al-Shoura Released

The Committee for Political Parties has recently recognized the Yemeni Popular Forces Federation as a political party that has the right to practice its activities in society. Chief editor of Al-Shoura, mouthpiece of the party, said that the paper would come back again to political life, next Sunday. Al-Shoura newspaper was closed down on September 19, 99 by orders of the Ministry of Information on grounds that the party was not recognized by the Committee for Parties. During this period the paper had been published within other papers such as Al-Wahdawi, Al-Thawri, Al-Ummah and RAY, in addition to its site on the internet.

Extraordinary Success of the STC Festival Results in a Week's Extension

The tremendous success of the Sana'a Trade Center's 2nd Shopping Festival resulted in a decision made by the administration to extend the period of the festival one more week. Hence, the last day of the festival will be August the 14th, on which the final draw for the first prize (an automobile) will be held.
The great number of participants in Yemen Times Competition also led to the newspaper's decision to extend the competition for an extra week in order to enable all the readers to try their luck in winning the prestigious awards of the competition.
Activities of the STC Second Shopping Festival have been a great success so far. Many participants have been sending their answers to take part in draws on different lucrative prizes. So far, three draws on prizes estimated at YRs 200000 have taken place. These were held on last Monday, Thursday and Friday.
On the other hand, the center administration announced that the draw on the first prize, 2000 Hyundai Automobile would take place on Monday, August 14. Or Participants or their representative must attend the event. Unless the winner is available, his coupon will be canceled. As far as the Yemen Times competition is concerned, participants are not requested to attend because they come from different governorates.