Transitional Justice and the Protection of Civil Society
A year ago, over 70 Yemeni civil society organizations came together to sign the Yemen Declaration for Justice and Reconciliation, a landmark document demanding “the inclusion of all stakeholders, including women, youth, minorities, people with disabilities, marginalized groups, victims and survivors of rights abuses, and civil society organizations in Yemen’s peace process and political future.” Since the declaration was signed, there has been no accountability and no justice. We continue to bear witness as warring parties persistently violate human rights and international law.
In May 2024, Yemen’s Houthi forces carried out a wave of arrests and detentions, arresting employees from local and international humanitarian and human rights organizations. This concerning escalation is not a unique incident, but rather part of a larger pattern targeting civil society in Yemen.