Taiz – June 2025
In an unprecedented step to empower Yemeni society with the principles of transitional justice, the Abductees’ Mothers Association, in partnership with SAM for Rights and Liberties; and supported by the U.S.-based DT Institute, concluded an intensive training program under the SPARK Project.
The program brought together more than 100 trainees (half of them women) from across various Yemeni governorates over a period of one and a half months. It aimed to enhance practical understanding of transitional justice and open channels for community dialogue toward a more just and equitable future.
Multi-Faceted Training
The program included ten training modules delivered through five interactive groups. It combined self-directed learning via Google Classroom with regular group discussions. Each module featured quizzes and self-study references, tackling core themes such as gender justice, children’s rights, documentation and community reconciliation, peacebuilding, and reparations.
Justice Beyond Accountability
Shaim’a Al-Salahi, a human rights activist who took part in the training, shared: “I learned that transitional justice is not only about accountability. It’s about restoring dignity to victims, ensuring non-repetition of violations, and paving the way for a participatory future that excludes no one.”
She added that the training changed her perception of justice, from being merely “punitive” to one of fair reconciliation, grounded in acknowledgment, fairness, and inclusion.
Strategic Investment in Sustainable Peace
Firas Hamdoun, Senior Program Director at the DT Institute, stated that their support for the training stems from a firm belief that transitional justice is the cornerstone of building peace in Yemen. He further added: “Through this program, we aim to close the knowledge gap and build a network of local actors capable of designing and implementing genuine transitional justice initiatives.”
Hamdoun also noted that the training is part of a three-stage plan under the SPARK Project: starting with a contextual assessment of Yemen, followed by capacity-building, and culminating in the promotion of national and international dialogue on transitional justice pathways.
Training Amid Challenges… A Foundation for a Yemeni Model
Trainer Marwan Al-Shaibani pointed out that the program faced challenges such as weak internet connectivity, limited availability among participants, and a lack of deep understanding of transitional justice concepts among many trainees. Yet, he said: “We succeeded in narrowing the knowledge gap and fostering rich discussions on different global models of transitional justice, while ensuring the content avoided sensitive triggers and focused on methodological and human rights dimensions.”
He emphasized that the engagement and enthusiasm shown by participants, particularly during their presentations of future local initiatives, was a clear indication of the training’s success and its readiness to serve as a launchpad for a Yemeni-led transitional justice model.
Sustainable Impact and a Community Leading Its Future
The program’s organizers aim to build a lasting network of training graduates, supporting them in launching local reconciliation projects, developing updated training materials, and creating platforms for dialogue and advocacy. This goes hand in hand with empowering local civil society organizations to play a central role in this journey. “We’re not importing justice; we’re building one that’s uniquely Yemeni,” said Shaim’a Al-Salahi, summing up the spirit of the training and laying the foundation for a genuine Yemeni transitional justice experience, one that begins at the grassroots, not just among the political elite.