Friday, February 18, 2011

Human Rights Watch Criticizes Using Violence against Protesters

Human Rights Watch Criticizes Using Violence against Protesters

By Fatik Al-Rodaini

In a statement posted on its website on Friday, the Human Rights Watch said that Yemen’s security forces attacked demonstrators, activists, lawyers, and journalists in Sana'a, the capital, on February 14, 2011, apparently without justification.

The statement added that the Human Rights Watch and other witnesses observed the attacks, most of them during a protest that began at Sana'a University. A number of local journalists were beaten by the security forces and groups of government supporters and plainclothes security men arrested, assaulted, and confiscated the materials of international journalists, including a BBC Arabic correspondent.

The organization confirmed that the government security forces appeared to be organizing groups of armed pro-government supporters to assault the anti-government protesters, although in some cases the police on the spot prevented clashes.

In one case the organized government supporters appeared to include children.

Yemen's Authorities Arrest Person Bomb Thrower in Taiz

Yemen's Authorities Arrest Person Bomb Thrower in Taiz

By Fatik Al-Rodaini

Informed source told the Yemen Post that security apparatus arrested a person who was behind throwing a bomb at a crowd of anti-government protesters on Friday in Taiz in which two protesters were killed and 41 others were wounded.

Sources confirmed that the suspect was driving a white vehicle, and was taken to the police headquarters to be investigated. No more details were reported.

At least two Killed, others Wounded in Aden's Protest

At least two Killed, others Wounded in Aden's Protest

By Fatik Al-Rodaini

At least three were killed and others wounded today in Yemen's southern port of Aden in a demonstration that took place for the eighth successive day demanding the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh inspired by the revolts in Tunisia and Egypt.

Private sources said that security forces in Khor Makser tried to disperse protesters using tear gas, batons and stun guns, killing at least three injuring others.

Friday's protest in Aden came two days after consecutive demonstrations in Al-Mansora district in which at least three protesters were killed and tens wounded.

U.S. Embassy Urges Yemeni Government to Protect Peaceful Demonstrations

U.S. Embassy Urges Yemeni Government to Protect Peaceful Demonstrations

By Fatik Al-Rodaini

The U.S. embassy in Sana'a called Yemeni government to fulfill its responsibility to protect the life and property of all Yemenis and to safeguard their basic human and civil rights.

In a statement posted on Friday on its website, the American embassy urged the government to prevent any further attacks on peaceful demonstrations and to ensure that all Yemenis, both pro- and anti-government, have equal rights to speech and assembly.

The statement said that the U.S embassy in recent days observed disturbing rise in the number and violence of attacks against Yemeni citizens gathering peacefully to express their views on the current political situation. It added the attacks are contrary to the commitments that President Saleh made to protect the right of Yemeni citizens to gather peacefully to express their views.

Protesters Take to the Streets in Yemen's Provinces

Protesters Take to the Streets in Yemen's Provinces

By Fatik Al-Rodaini

Sana'a- Feb 18, 2011, Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets on Friday for the eighth consecutive day in all Yemen's provinces demanding the ouster of the President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Demonstrations took place in the capital of Sana'a in which violent clashes were erupted between pro and anti government wounding tens of protesters from the both sides.

Yemen's southern port of Aden witnessed protests for the third consecutive day in Al-Mansoura, Khor Maksar, Crater, and Sheikh Othman districts calling for the political reforms, demanding the removal of the regime before the protest turns violence between protesters and anti-riots in which three protesters were killed and several others wounded during the protesters when police tried to disperse protesters using tear gas, batons and stun guns. Protesters responded by burning the headquarters of local council and all consistence in addition to four vehicles and private properties.

In Taiz province where about a million pro-regime protesters took to the streets supporting President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

In return, protesters from different provinces gathered in anti-regime protest demanding the ouster of the regime, protest was held peacefully before a bomb exploded in which two protesters were died and 31 others were wounded.

Yemen's security apparatus said that it arrested the bomber to be investigated to know its motivations of committing the crime. No more details were reported.

Sources said that protests were erupted peacefully in Shabwa and Hadramout provinces calling for the resignation of President Saleh.