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Social Justice Remains a Distant Dream for Yemenis
Mwatana for Human Rights stated in a statement issued today, on the occasion of the International Day of Social Justice—observed annually on 20 February—that the ongoing armed conflict in Yemen, in its various dimensions, has undermined the foundations of social justice and contributed to creating an environment conducive to violations, discrimination, and the deprivation of rights. Yemenis have been forced to bear the burdens and consequences of the war and the compounding effects of a severe humanitarian crisis at multiple levels.
Mwatana noted that the destruction of infrastructure, the collapse of the health and education systems, and the deterioration of the economic situation in Yemen have, for years, imposed survival as the primary concern for Yemenis, rather than priorities of dignified living, social justice, and equality. This reality, it said, has been entrenched by the various parties to the conflict through their continued commission of a wide range of violations against civilians and their livelihoods for more than a decade, in addition to their persistent disregard for people’s suffering and urgent needs.
Mwatana affirmed that vulnerable groups—particularly women, children, internally displaced persons, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities—remain the most affected by the absence of the pillars and requirements of social justice. These groups have become increasingly marginalized, and their ability to access basic services and essential needs has grown more complex.
Radhia Al-Mutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights, stated that “rising levels of poverty, displacement, unemployment, discrimination, and the absence of the rule of law, as direct consequences of the conflict and the practices of the various warring parties over more than ten years, have made social justice and its requirements—including the right to safety and a dignified life, equality of opportunity, and the rights to education, health, and decent work—a difficult challenge and a distant dream for Yemenis.” She added that “the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is not merely a passing crisis, but rather the result of the systematic undermining of social, legal, and institutional structures, and the ongoing targeting of all that is vital and essential to the Yemeni people. Achieving social justice requires rebuilding the social and legal order—and, before that, securing a just and sustainable peace.”
Mwatana stated in its statement that since September 2014, the various parties to the conflict—including, foremost among them, the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group, the internationally recognized government, Islah Party formations, the Southern Transitional Council, the Joint Forces, and the Saudi/UAE-led coalition forces—have committed a wide range of violations that have undermined social justice and eroded its foundations. These include the targeting of civilian objects and infrastructure essential for the population’s survival; the recruitment and use of children; the targeting of health and educational facilities and their use for military and political purposes; the restriction and obstruction of humanitarian aid; starvation and siege tactics; the continued targeting of humanitarian work; as well as arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, and other violations.
Mwatana for Human Rights called on all parties to the conflict to cease committing violations against civilians, including attacks on civilian objects, vital facilities, and essential infrastructure; to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those affected; to evacuate schools and hospitals of any military presence and refrain from using them for military or political purposes; to release arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared persons; and to work toward achieving a political settlement that addresses all grievances and violations and fulfills the aspirations of Yemenis for justice, equality, equal citizenship, and the rule of law.
It also renewed its call on the international community to pressure the warring parties to engage in a comprehensive peace process, to place human rights, transitional justice, and the rule of law at the core of any future peace process, and to work toward providing reparations for victims of the various violations and international crimes committed in Yemen and holding those responsible accountable.
