Yemen hits back at AI

SANA'A, June 02 (Saba) - Announcing an objective and transparent
response to the AI recent report on the situation in Yemen in 2009
would be soon, Yemen has criticized the Amnesty International over
the report, saying reports issued by the AI and other organizations
on the situation in the country should be objective, impartial and
credible.

The AI should have dealt with the recent developments in Yemen
fairly, Minister of Human Rights Huda al-Ban said, adding the
organization would rather highlight Yemen's unity and stability.

In a 2009 report, the Amnesty International pointed to violations
exercised by the regime in Yemen with a focus on a sporadic war in
the north, suppression of media freedom and bad judicial systems.

However, the report did not bring up the secessionism movements in
the south.

"If all what was contained in the report proves true, when the
organization said there was an organized and systematic violence by
the regime, the ministry of Human Rights is ready to take necessary
measures," al-Ban said.

Exploring the facts, the ministry finds out that mistakes, when some
happen, are blamed on competence of executive officers but never on
a systemic wrongdoing, she added.

In previous responses to reports on Yemen, including an AI report,
Yemen looked into the contents of reports carefully and found out
most of them was baseless.

"There is law in Yemen which is deemed the only reference to
deciding on attempts targeting the public's interests and the
nation's sovereignty and unity."

The main responsibility of the security forces is to protect the
public's interests and control disorder, hence, all what the
security does is within legal authority.

In addition to that effective laws naturally prevent using overpower
when dealing with national problems, the ministry always urges,
under responsibility towards the people's safety, no overpower.

And despite the report did not discuss the latest developments in
the south including protests calling for secessionism, al-Ban
brought up the situation, saying protests which have recently been
held in the south were never peacefully and not aimed at
straightening the situation out.

'Armed people have fought the troops and attacked the people's
property, with demonstrations turning violent and protestors
clashing with the authorities.'

In the report, the Amnesty International underlined alleged al-Qaeda
attacks, ill-treatment and bad court procedures, punishments
including the death penalty, violence and discrimination against
women, unlawful killings, suppression of media freedom and
regulations on refugees and asylum seekers.