Yemen: Government and police treatment of sheikhs residing in southern Yemen, particularly in the cities of Beit, Binateeq, Yafaa, and who are known to be supporters of the National Opposition Front of Yemen (MOWJ)

No information on government and police treatment of sheikhs residing in southern Yemen, particularly in the cities of Beit, Binateeq, Yafaa, and who are known to be supporters of the National Opposition Front of Yemen (MOWJ), could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, a July 2001 overview on Yemen published on the British-Yemeni Society's Website states that in parallel to the improved relations between Yemen and Saudi Arabia and the signature in May 2000 of an agreement in which both countries "defined, for the first time, the whole of their shared borders," the MOWJ, "which had been set up in the wake of the 1994 war of secession and had continued to operate under Saudi Arabian sponsorship, ceased its activities".

In a 26 July 2000 statement, the Executive Committee of the MOWJ stated that:

Aware of the importance of responding to compelling realities, the need for the desired reforms in Yemen, the inevitable change pointed out by the President in his speech on the eve of the 10th anniversary of unity as well as reconciliation and accord among the people of Yemen;

Mindful of the crucial stage Yemen is passing through at the domestic, regional and international levels, and the need for joint efforts by all political, social and economic forces to build healthy, sound relations between all sectors of the people so that we can all effectively contribute to national and regional stability and cement by our combined efforts the principle of regional partnership laid down in the Jeddah border agreement between the Republic of Yemen and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;

We declare the suspension of opposition activity through MOWJ media as a gesture of good will and a contribution on our part to creating a favourable climate that may lead to a meaningful and serious dialogue with the leadership in Sanaa. Such a dialogue should be focused on genuine cooperation to rectify and develop the situation in Yemen with the aim of consolidating Yemen's unity, stability, security and growth. It should contribute to furthering the state of accord resulting from the favourable climate created by the Jeddah treaty in Yemen and the region as whole and serve to attract investment as well.

It is our hope that this gesture on our part will be favourably met by the leadership in our country, above all, the President who has proved his ability and political will to address the urgent internal issues.

In 15 May 2002 correspondence, a professor of Middle East Studies at New York University specializes in Yemen and Islamic international history stated that:

To the best of my knowledge MOWJ has ceased its oppositional activity since the reconciliation between the Saudis and Yemenis, in particular since 2000. That said, I cannot state with certainty that the present authorities in Yemen will not prosecute former MOWJ members should they return to Yemen. Such prosecution, but more likely political persecution / harassment, might still occur and would depend on the rank and importance of the individual concerned or his former resistance activities. The authorities in Sanaa do not adhere to the rule of law, as you might understand this, and are capable of anything: they might seek to coopt and patronize (through employment in government posts) a former MOWJ member as much as they might ignore or persecute such a person. It depends on who this person is, his former history of resistance, who his present patrons are and what connections he still has with powerful persons in Yemen today.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

British-Yemeni Society.. July 2001. "Yemeni Overview, 2001." Brian Whitaker. [Accessed 13 May 2002]

The National Opposition Front of Yemen (MOWJ). 26 July 2000. "Important Statement: Good Will Gesture. Proceedings from our Declared Guidelines." [Accessed 13 May 2002]

Professor of Middle East Studies, New York University, NY. 13 May 2002. Correspondence. His main academic interests are "early modern and modern Middle East history, particularly Yemen, Arabia and the Indian Ocean, Islamic law, Islamic reform movements and modern Islamic political thought; pre-industrial political formations."

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB databases

LEXIS/NEXIS

Internet sites including:

Amnesty International

Human Rights Guard, London and Geneva. This organization specializes on human rights in Yemen.

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Yemen Gateway

Yemeni Monitor. Search facility

Yemeni Times

World News Connection (WNC)

Oral sources:

One oral source could not provide the requested information within the time constraints.

Unsuccessful attempts to reach MOWJ and Human Rights Guard.