The seventh Ramadan draws closer while the mothers and children of abductees and forcibly disappeared persons are devastated by the loss and absence of their relatives, held behind bars.
We gather all our calls and demands to release our abducted, forcibly disappeared, and arbitrarily detained sons, for no occasion is complete while they are away from us. We, at Abductees’ Mothers Association, rally here, by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sana’a, to condemn the continuous systematic abduction of our sons. According to the association’s documentation, there are, currently, 425 abducted civilians, 97 of whom are forcibly disappeared held by Houthi armed group. Additionally, there are 73 detainees, 38 of whom are forcibly disappeared held by the Security Belt forces, controlled by the Southern Transitional Council, 18 detainees held by the government, and 5 held the Joint Forces at the western coast. All of them have been held for as long as seven years.
As the blessed month of Ramadan, in which Yemenis have always symbolized forgiveness and kindness, comes near, and as the Riyadh Conference Consultations commence, we call upon all organizers and participants to make the case of abductees, and forcibly disappeared and arbitrarily detained persons a priority in their agenda and a first step towards peace. Indeed, it is the first case we look forward to its resolution in order to guarantee our sons’ release of all prisons run by all parties, since it is a granted right stated in the national and international laws. We, thus, hold the abducting and arresting parties fully responsible for their lives and safety.
Issued by Abductees’ Mothers Association.
March 31st, 2022.