On 21 January, a Saudi Arabia-led coalition airstrike in Yemen struck a detention centre in the Sa’ad province under the control of rebel Houthi forces, killing at least 82 people and injuring 266 others. Médecins Sans Frontières reported that the al-Gumhourriyeh hospital in Sa’da had taken in around 200 wounded but that there were “many […]
16 March 2021 – Yemen
Amidst an ongoing conflict that has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths and widespread famine, migrants and refugees in Yemen–most of whom are from Ethiopia or Somalia–continue to face detention and physical threats in the country, in part because of rumors that they are spreading COVID-19 (see the 4 August 202 update on this […]
04 August 2020 – Yemen
Although it has been devastated by ongoing civil war and famine, Yemen has continued to serve as an important migrant and refugee transit country–with many people often enduring torture, rape, and extortion, as well crossfire and airstrikes. In 2019, the IOM estimated that some 138,000 migrants departed from the Horn of Africa to Yemen in […]
Last updated: May 2019
Migrants in Yemen Languish in Detention as Ramadan Begins
From: International Organization for Migration
Date: 7 May 2019
Aden - Some 3,000 migrants continue to be held in two temporary detention sites in Yemen's Aden and Abyan governorates. Among those detained are Ethiopian nationals, many practicing Muslims, who are embarking on thirty days of Ramadan fasting while detained.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been providing clean water and emergency food at the 22nd of May Stadium in Aden where nearly 2,500 migrants are detained.
On 21 April, authorities in Yemen began detaining nearly 5,000 irregular migrants in two sports stadiums and a military camp in the Aden, Abyan and Lahj governorates. The detainees predominately are Ethiopians, who entered Yemen to seek livelihoods and opportunities on the Arabian Peninsula.
On Friday (03/05), IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) teams confirmed that 2,473 migrants remain under detention in Aden’s 22nd May Stadium. Of those, the DTM determined 873 are children.
Since last week’s headcount, more people have been brought to that site. An estimated 500 migrants are also being held in a second sports stadium in Abyan.
At the stadium in Aden, IOM is combatting the spread of communicable disease by providing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and health services. Between 26 April and 5 May, IOM has conducted over 1,800 health consultations and rehabilitated 30 latrines.
In recent days, more than 1,400 people detained at the military camp in Lahj reportedly were released. IOM is making efforts to confirm the locations and wellbeing of all migrants released in Lahj, particularly because some had been suffering from acute watery diarrhea (AWD).
At Lahj’s Ibn Khaldoon Hospital, IOM is treating more than 70 former detainees with AWD in its newly-opened diarrhea treatment centre. Tragically, since Wednesday (01/05), 14 migrants have perished from the illness
Twenty-three-year-old Abdi* comes from a farming family in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. As Ramadan commences, he wishes he could go home, or anywhere rather than stay in detention in the sports stadium in Aden. “I wanted to come to an Arabian country to make my life better than my parents’, but when I arrived here [in Yemen] they caught me and brought me to this place,” said Abdi, who left his home just over a month ago without telling his parents. Starting his journey with only 2,000 birr [USD 70], he eventually he arrived in Djibouti, where he called his parents explaining he needed funds, some 11,000 birr [USD 380], to continue his journey. His parents sold a cow. He said he knew he would perish in the desert without a smuggler to help him complete this “hard journey.” *Name changed to protect identity |
IOM remains extremely concerned for the people being held in inhumane conditions in Aden and Abyan. Alongside humanitarian partners, IOM is providing lifesaving services, while engaging with authorities to advocate for the release of those detained.
Thousands of migrants are stranded in other locations throughout Yemen. From Sana'a starting this past Monday, IOM intends to move a total of 327 Ethiopian migrants to Addis Ababa, under IOM’s voluntary humanitarian return (VHR).
For more information, please contact Olivia Headon at IOM Yemen, Tel: +353833022648, +967730552233, +967730552233, Email: oheadon@iom.int
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Migrants Die While Detained in Inhumane Conditions in Yemen
United Nations Information Centre
2 May 2019 – Aden
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is alarmed by reports of migrants dying of preventable illnesses, being shot and suffering other inhumane treatment in makeshift detention centres in Yemen, now in its fifth year of conflict.
IOM is monitoring the conditions of some 5,000 migrants from the Horn of Africa held across three sites –-two sports stadiums and a military camp–in Yemen’s Aden, Lahj and Abyan governorates.
IOM learned yesterday (01/05) that at least eight migrants died from complications related to acute watery diarrhea (AWD) at the Ibn Khaldoon Hospital in Lahj governorate. Those migrants—predominantly Ethiopian—had been held at a military camp in Lahj where more than 1,400 people are detained. Authorities at the camp report they have detected at least 200 AWD cases. IOM is establishing a diarrhea treatment centre at Ibn Khaldoon Hospital, which is currently struggling to treat 53 AWD cases, including eight severe cases.
This morning, 14 migrants with signs of AWD were brought to Aden’s 22nd of May stadium where IOM is providing critical life saving assistance. IOM’s health team, who has carried out over 1,000 health consultations at the site since 26 April, acted fast to ensure the patients were evacuated to a nearby hospital.
In Geneva, Mohammed Abdiker, IOM’s Director of Operations and Emergencies said, “I am deeply saddened by the deaths of these eight migrants, who were among the thousands of migrants being held in deplorable conditions across Yemen. We have decried this policy to the authorities, urging them to take a humane approach to irregular migration.”
IOM’s team in Aden became aware of the mass arrest and detention of thousands of migrants on 21 April and their detention in cramped buildings, not fit for human inhabitation. Abdiker noted these migrants, “at best, have only limited access to basic services or protection.”
On Tuesday (30/04), guards fired on migrants detained at the Aden sports stadium, two of whom suffered gunshot wounds, leaving a teenage boy likely paralyzed for life. That, Abdiker said, “demonstrates the inability of authorities to care for the expanding detained population as well as the immediate need to have a dedicated civilian authority humanely managing these sites. Our teams could see that without ensuring immediate access to sufficient food, clean water, safe sanitation and medical attention, a catastrophe was waiting to unfold.”
Abdiker added: “IOM stands ready to support Yemen and other regional partners to identify sustainable responses to irregular migration, which do not involve the shortsighted abuse of vulnerable migrants and fully respects international law.”
“I am greatly concerned that this dire situation will further deteriorate,” he concluded. “Our team on the ground has been making strides with local advocacy among the different levels of government. However, it is time to see these words turned into action that puts an end to this abuse before more innocent lives are lost.”
For more information please contact Olivia Headon in Aden. Tel: +967 730 552 233. Email: Oheadon@iom.int
DETENTION STATISTICS
DETAINEE DATA
DETENTION CAPACITY
ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION
ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT DATA
PRISON DATA
POPULATION DATA
SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA & POLLS
MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION
GOVERNANCE SYSTEM
LEGAL & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Detention-Related Legislation
Republic Decision No. 221 of the year Executive Prison Regulations of Law No. 48 of the year 1991
(1999)
1999
GROUNDS FOR MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION
LENGTH OF MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION
PROCEDURAL STANDARDS & SAFEGUARDS
Access to Detainees
Lawyer: Limited or Some Detention Centres Only
Family Members: Limited or Some Detention Centres Only
NGOs: Limited or Some Detention Centres Only
International Monitors: Limited or Some Detention Centres Only
Consular Representatives: Limited or Some Detention Centres Only
Family Members: Limited or Some Detention Centres Only
NGOs: Limited or Some Detention Centres Only
International Monitors: Limited or Some Detention Centres Only
Consular Representatives: Limited or Some Detention Centres Only
DETENTION MONITORS
> National Preventive Mechanisms (Optional Protocol to UN Convetion against Torture)
> Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
> Governmental monitoring bodies
> International detention monitoring
TRANSPARENCY
READMISSION/RETURN/EXTRADITION AGREEMENTS
COVID-19
HEALTH CARE
COVID-19 DATA
Has the Country Adopted These Pandemic-Related Measures for People in Immigration Detention?
Have Populations of Concern Been Included/Excluded From the National Vaccination Campaign?
INTERNATIONAL TREATIES
International Treaties Ratified
Ratification Year
Observation Date
CAT, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
1991
1991
Ratio of relevant international treaties ratified
Ratio: 10/19
Relevant Recommendations Issued by Treaty Bodies
Recommendation Year
Observation Date
Committee against Torture
"The Committee recommends that the State party:
... (g) Ensure that the expulsion, refoulement or extradition of a person to another State is in compliance with article 3 of the Convention"
2004
2004
Committee against Torture
"The Committee calls upon the State party to establish an effective national system to monitor and inspect all places of detention and to follow up on the outcome on such systematic monitoring. It should also ensure that forensic doctors trained in detecting signs of torture are present during these visits. The Committee requests the State party to clarify whether the Political Security Department, the National Security authority and the Department of Anti-Terrorism under the Ministry of the Interior are under the control of the civil authorities, and whether the Prosecutor-General has access to the said detention centres, military prisons and private detention facilities. The State party should formally prohibit all detention facilities that do not come under State authority...
Under no circumstances should the State party expel, return or extradite a person to a State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he or she would be in danger of being subjected to torture or ill-treatment. The State party should ensure that it complies fully with article 3 of the Convention and that individuals under the State party’s jurisdiction receive appropriate consideration by its competent authorities and guaranteed fair treatment at all stages of proceedings, including an opportunity for effective, independent and impartial review of decisions on expulsion, return or extradition."
2010
2010
Human Rights Committee
"The State party should take concrete measures to ensure the adequacy of the refugee determination process and asylum procedures for migrants of all nationalities. Asylum seekers and refugees should not be held in penal conditions."
2012
2012
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
"50. The Committee calls upon the State party to continue to strengthen its cooperation with UNHCR and adopt the draft refugee law, in compliance with the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its Protocol. The Committee also calls upon the State party to grant full access to UNHCR to detention centres for refugees, not to deport refugees without previous UNHCR verification of their status and to ensure refugees their right to security, especially for women and children due to their exposure to violence, including sexual violence."
2008
2008
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The Committee recommends that the State party establish a legal framework to govern the application process of asylum. The Committee further recommends that the State party adopt specific measures aimed at promoting the coordination of the process of issuing refugee certificates with UNHCR in order to ensure that their certificates are recognized and that the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers are protected. The Committee further recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts in the provision of humanitarian assistance to IDPs and ensuring their immediate return to their communities.
2011
2011
Committee on the Rights of the Child
§ 76. "The Committee recommends that the State party adopt a comprehensive legal framework in line with international standards for refugees and asylum seekers , and develop an efficient and well - founded cooperation mechanism with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to identify and provide assistance to children in need of protection, especially unaccompanied refugee and asylum - seeking children. The Committee also urges the State party to:
(a) Establish a mechanism to provide protective measures for unaccompanied children, including the appointment of guardians to, inter alia, assist children with the relevant processes and procedures;
(b) Ensure that unaccompanied children, refugees and asylum-seeking children are not detained because of illegal entry/stay and have effectively the right to seek asylum and to stay in the State party until the end of asylum procedures;
(c) Ensure the provision of adequate medical treatment, mental health care and psychosocial support to refugee, asylum-seek ing and internally displaced childr en who fall victim to sexual violence;
(d) Ensure that all children born on its territory are properly registered at birth, without dis crimination and regardless of the status of their parents , and that they fully enjoy their economic, social and cultural rights;
(e) Ratify the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons , 1954, and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness , 1961."
2014
2014
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
§44. In line with its general recommendation No. 32 and general recommendation No. 30, the Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Provide internally displaced women and girls who are victims of gender-based violence, including child marriage and trafficking in persons, with free and immediate access to medical services, legal assistance and a safe environment, as well as to female health-care providers and services, such as reproductive health care and counselling;
(b) Address the specific risks and particular needs of migrant women, who are subject to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, ensuring their access to basic services without fear of detention on the basis of irregular migration status;
(c) End the arbitrary detention and forced movement of migrants;
(d) Ensure border police and immigration officials are adequately trained, supervised and monitored for gender-sensitivity and non-discriminatory practices when dealing with women migrants, with the support of relevant agencies.
2021
2021
NON-TREATY-BASED INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS
Government Agencies
Republic of Yemen Government Portal: http://www.yemen.gov.ye/portal/
International Organisations
UNHCR Yemen Country Profile: http://reporting.unhcr.org/node/2647#_ga=1.222590811.1574793458.1466088472
IOM Yemen Country Profile: https://www.iom.int/countries/yemen
Media
Yemen Times: http://www.yementimes.com
National Yemen: http://nationalyemen.com
NGOs and Research Institutions
Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/middle-east/n-africa/yemen
Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/middle-east-and-north-africa/yemen/
