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Human Rights Watch: Allegations of Excessive Force Against Southern Protesters in Yemen

REPORTS - منذ 6 ساعات

Aden – Special Report

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Human Rights Watch has accused forces affiliated with the Yemeni government of using excessive force and committing violations against protesters supporting the Southern Transitional Council (STC) during demonstrations that took place across several southern governorates in February, calling for urgent investigations and accountability.

 

In a recent report, the organization stated that government forces opened fire on protesters in multiple locations, particularly in Aden and Shabwa, resulting in deaths and injuries, as well as carrying out what it described as “arbitrary” arrests without due process.

 

Deaths, Injuries, and Arbitrary Arrests

 

According to the report, clashes between government forces and protesters led to the deaths of at least six people and injuries to dozens, while dozens of protesters were arrested especially in Aden where some were detained for days without charges or being brought before a court.

 

Human Rights Watch confirmed that the evidence it reviewed, including field testimonies and video footage, indicates the use of excessive force against protesters, some of whom were peaceful, including children who were injured during the events.

 

Gunfire in Multiple Locations

 

The report documented incidents of gunfire against protesters in three main areas:

• Aden: One person was killed and more than 25 others were injured during an attempt by protesters to reach the vicinity of the presidential palace.

• Shabwa: At least five people were killed and 39 others injured in clashes in the city of Ataq.

• Hadramout: Protests in Seiyun were dispersed using live fire, and dozens of participants were arrested.

 

Violations of Due Process

 

Human Rights Watch noted that many detainees were denied basic legal rights, with some held for more than two weeks without being presented before a judge or formally charged—conditions the organization described as “arbitrary detention.”

 

Criticism of the Yemeni Government

 

Niku Jafarnia, Yemen and Bahrain researcher at Human Rights Watch, stated that the Yemeni government “claims to support freedom of expression, but its actions on the ground contradict those claims,” urging authorities to respect citizens’ rights, particularly during this sensitive period.

 

Calls for Accountability

 

The organization called on the Yemeni government to conduct prompt and transparent investigations into all incidents involving the use of force against protesters and to hold those responsible for any unlawful use of force accountable.

 

It also stressed the need for authorities not to repeat the same violations they had previously condemned when carried out by the Southern Transitional Council in areas formerly under its control.

 

Background

 

These developments come amid rising tensions in southern Yemen following the declaration of a state of emergency in December 2025, and subsequent confrontations between government forces and the Southern Transitional Council, which had called on its supporters to protest in February.

 

Human Rights Watch emphasized that the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are protected under international law, calling on all parties in Yemen to end what it described as a “cycle of ongoing violations” throughout the years of conflict