There is increasing worldwide criticism of human rights violations in the Republic of Yemen. Although the authorities continue to state their commitment to respect for human rights, the practice is a totally different matter. The problem seems to be the "inability and/or unwillingness of the top politicians to control the security officers, especially those working in criminal investigations and political security," according to the annual human rights report for 1998 released by the US State Department on Friday, February 26th, 1999.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International, the London-headquartered world organization, which has also expressed concern over the human rights situation in Yemen, will soon be sending yet another fact-finding mission to the country. It will discuss the implementation of its previous recommendations with Yemeni officials, and will monitor the situation here closely.
The Middle East division of Human Rights Watch, the New York based international organization, is also planning to send a delegation to Yemen. It too will assess the development of the human rights situation in Yemen.
The US State Department report lists a number of serious human rights violations in Yemen during 1998. The full text of the report can be read online at http://www.state.gov/
The Yemen Times reproduces its main sections on Report Page

 

The Supreme Elections Commission (SEC) of Yemen continues to hold meetings with the various political parties, public figures, and other individuals and groups.
"The purpose is to agree on the formation of the committees that will supervise the presidential elections to be held in October, 1999," explained Dr. Abdullah Barakat, SEC Chairman.
"We are trying to ensure that all political organizations and people with interest in the process are represented," disclosed Mr. Mansoor Ahmed Saif, Head of the Media Department of the SEC.

 

In its weekly cabinet meeting on 24/2/99, the Government of Yemen decided to establish the National Nuclear Energy Agency charged with the task of obtaining and developing nuclear energy in Yemen. The cabinet also appointed Dr. Mustafa Bahran, the Science Advisor to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, to head the agency.
The cabinet emphasized that nuclear energy will be used for peaceful and development purposes. NNEA will also monitor levels of radioactivity in imported goods.

 

Yemen Times learned that the "Emerging Democracies Forum: A Political Leaders Summit" to be held in Sanaa is now scheduled for May 24-26, 1999. The conference will bring together leaders of democracies - from government, political parties, business and civil society - from a dozen or so democratizing Third World countries. In addition to Yemen, these include such diverse nations as Benin, Georgia, Guatemala, Malawi, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, and Nepal.
The gathering is partly sponsored by the US State Department and is organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI). Mr. Les Campbell, Middle East Regional Director at NDI, is planning a visit to Sanaa in mid-March to iron out final details of the meeting.
The Republic of Yemen, as one of the emerging democracies, has offered to host the forum, and contribute towards its local expenditures.
The objective is to strengthen the commitment of these countries to democratization, especially in light of major hurdles in the transformation process. It will also be a good opportunity to share experiences and views.

 

According to the daily electronic news bulletin "Yemen News" put out by Eric Watkins from London, Prime Minister Abdul-Karim Al-Iryani, held secret talks with the director-general of Israel's Foreign Ministry, Mr. Eitan Ben-Tsur, last week. The two sides openly discussed "opening interest offices in each other's countries as a first step toward establishing official ties".
The source quoting Yediot Achronot, added: "As a first step toward expanded ties, Yemeni officials will allow up to 10,000 Israelis of Yemeni background to visit Yemen, and will allow Israeli companies to invest in Yemen".