Extremism In The Home

While the Yemeni revolution has its squares, marches and protest camps, it also has many unseen supporters who pray for success but are unable to actively participate in the revolution. On the other side, Ali Abdullah Saleh still has his regime supports – despite the fact that he has handed over power to vice president, and soon-to-be-president, Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi. Like those seeking the downfall of the regime, Saleh has men who march in his name and those who support him from their homes. Often those who “participate” from home are more fanatical about their beliefs than those who actually go out onto the streets and give voice to their views. Friends have even fallen out over their political views. The extent of some people’s extremism has seen some call their friends killers for supporting Saleh’s regime. In another case, a mother threatened to disown her daughter if she stood by the revolutionaries and against Saleh’s regime. Two brothers were once watching TV and fighting over which news channel to watch. One was pro-government and wanted to watch state TV while the other supported the revolution and wanted to watch Suhail – in the end they broke the television. Professor Salah Al-Jumai, professor of psychology and social services, commented that such extreme acts are a normal reaction to suppression and disorganization. “The main reason behind rejecting another’s point of view and taking extreme action against your loved ones is suppression. There are many reasons that prevent some people from participating in the squares, even though they strongly believe in the cause and this makes them frustrated and often more extremist,” said Al-Jumai. “When one is disorganized he is not mature enough to have a healthy political conversation; so they try to force others to think like them, making them even more extremist in their opinions,” he added. The reasons why some people cannot participate also affects their views, he added. “Many are governmental employees, and if they join the protests their salaries will be cut. Others are those who cannot afford to join as they are busy trying to earn a living.” Youth involvement Despite popular rejection of a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) power transfer deal, it was finally signed by Saleh in Riyadh on Nov. 23, 2011. However, the agreement was made between the regime and the opposition coalition, the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) – leaving out the youth, who at that time had spent 10 months camped out in protests squares across Yemen. Since then, youth groups have started to come to terms with the reality of Yemen’s situation – that the GCC deal has been signed and that they need to use the opportunities offered by the International community to involve themselves in the transitional process. While the youth in the squares have begun to get more involved in a bid to influence Yemen’s future, those who support the revolution from their homes continue to reject the GCC. Some youth groups have begun campaigns to encourage public participation in the coming presidential election, despite the fact that it is a one-man race, with Hadi as the sole candidate. Other activists are using social media to call on the parliament to simply announce Hadi as the president, rather than spend huge amounts of money on a pre-decided election. Khalid Rajah, one of the first anti-government protesters on the streets, lost one of his brothers in clashes between thugs and protesters, while another was shot in the knee. “I announce my participation in the next elections, not as a betrayal to my martyred brother’s blood, but to demand that the new president prosecute those who killed him,” he said. “And to see Yemen headed by a new president. My brother gave his soul to build a new Yemen and I promise that we will build the new Yemen” However, Amal Al-Himiary, 24, says the youth should not be supporting the election. “I know I am too taken by the revolution and that I take any word against those in the squares or the revolution as a personal offensive,” she said. “But the Gulf Cooperation Council deal is a game to stop the revolution; the youth should not give up the squares until their demands are met, with the first being the prosecution of Saleh.” Although the parliament voted to grantee Saleh immunity from prosecution in Yemen – something that has been widely rejected by people on the streets and in squares – many youth groups are now trying to be realistic, while less active supporters simply reject the law. Reem Ali supports the revolution, and says she gets almost fanatical about it – despite the fact she has not had the chance to participate in person, as her family did not allow her to protest. She says that because of this, she feels she was not able to contribute as much as the protesters, so she keeps talking about how the revolution will continue and denying that anything could be wrong – including the fact that squabbling sides sometimes fight each other in the squares. “When someone is in his house and does not have the chance to experience the thing he supports, he thinks of it in ideals to keep his spirit high,” she said. Saleh supporters At the same time, pro-government “advocaters” provoke the opposing side by refusing to listen to their point of view and by glorifying Saleh after any new step he takes. Some of his supporters even go as far as to claim that Saleh has the right to kill protesters because they disobey him; some say that Yemen is worth nothing without Saleh. “He should have killed all the protesters but he is too democratic. That’s what led the country to this chaos,” said a 60-year-old woman in support of Saleh. The media also plays a role in fostering extremist opinions. “When people get their information from the biased media without trying to get another point of view, they become extremist,” claimed Nabeel Ahmed, who fell out with her mother because of their opposing political opinions. “My mother is a Saleh supporter – even though he left the country, she is still passionately defending him. Her information comes from the state media and it is hard to convince her that these are lies.” http://www.yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=35150

EU Warns Saleh’s Relatives Of Creating Obstacles To Elections

SANA’A, Jan. 28 – President Ali Abdullah Saleh finally arrived in the US for short-term private medical treatment on Saturday night, according to the Republic of Yemen Foreign Press Office. Saleh, along with a number of family members, left to Oman last Sunday, on route to the United States. Meanwhile, preparations were ongoing for the coming one-man election, which will see Vice President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi officially sworn in as president for the coming two years. Saleh’s absence will easy the election process according to political analysts. Hugues Mingarelli, Deputy Director-General for External Relations at the European Union, said that in order to complete preparations for the coming presidential elections the Yemeni government would establish a “communication committee” to liaise with those groups left out of the power transition deal signed in November. “We are focusing on the next election, the most important thing now is that the election is held on time and for this election to succeed, all the segments in Yemen have to be included, all Yemenis, not only the Joint Meeting Party and the General People’s Congress,” said Mingarelli. The Southern movement, the Houthis and Youth movements were not included in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) agreement, despite being considered as powerful players in Yemen’s political sphere. He also stressed the importance of a united Yemen. Mingarelli pointed out the important role the media has to play in the run up to elections by highlighting the efforts made to make it happen and also by encouraging Yemeni people to vote for Hadi and give him the “acceptable legitimacy” that will ease his work in the transitional period. The Gulf agreement stated that a new draft constitution should be written by the end of the two year transitional period. Mingarelli said that in order to write the new constitution, a national dialogue should be established to pave the way for truly democratic, free and impartial elections after those two years. While he added that would be obstacles, he said that the first step was to elect Hadi on February 21. Commenting on the widely condemned immunity law, granting Saleh freedom from prosecution, Mingarelli said it was necessary and the price to pay in order to reach real democracy later. In accordance with the GCC agreement, a military committee was formed in December, tasked with unifying the armed forces, removing tanks and sandbags from the streets and returning soldiers to their camps. While this was successful in some areas, parts of Yemen’s major cities that saw the most fighting, such as Hasaba in Sana’a, have seen little change. Mingarelli stressed the need for security reforms in order to stabilize the country, adding that economic issues also needed to be resolved. He also said that if Saleh’s relatives create any obstacles to next month’s elections, that it would be necessary to remove them from positions of power. Moreover, Mingarelli commented on the worker strikes, or “institutional revolution” against corruption in institutions, saying that it is a positive move. “It is not a surprise that the workers are striking; working conditions are difficult and salaries are low so going on strike is not a crime,” he said. However, he pointed out that Yemen was already the poorest country in the Arab region before last year’s political crisis so people should not expect change overnight.

http://www.yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=35149

UNICEF To Grant $140 Million To Yemen

SANAA, Jan.25 — The Number of the malnourished children of those under the age of five grown as the result of 2011 unrest to be 750,000 children according to the UNICEF. 500,000 of them are at the risk of Dying or at the risk of physical or mental disability as a result of malnutrition. An estimated 149 children were killed, 24 of them were girls and the youngest were three months old in 2011 unrest. 568 children were wounded by live ammunition. Moreover, many children were affected by physical violence; hundreds have been affected by teargas suffocation. The UNICEF director for Middle East and North Africa, Maria Calivis, promised on Tuesday  that the UNICEF will grant Yemen US$ 140 million to be spent in the next four years  on Children health, education and protection. “There is a very big risk that nobody will do enough, and not enough will be done and there is another priority of the government and these crises will be forgotten” she said. Calives conclude a two days visit to Yemen on Tuesday. Saying that the malnutrition problem is not only about food, it is also about water, sanitation, hygiene, health and education. “I came to draw the attention of the authorities and the international community that there is another crisis that has not been addressed” she said. Calives on Monday met with some ministers including the prime minister Mohammed Salem Basundwa in which they signed the agreement and discussed how to address the negative effect on 2011 events on children. Calives stressed on the importance of prioritize Malnutrition problem by the National Unity Government. “Now that there is peace and the government is discussing their priorities of the future, it is important that they discuses the crises of malnutrition” she said. As locals complained of no access to food in Abyan, and the risk of fights between militants and the state in other governorate is there, the UNICEF commented that “As soon as there is peace in these governorates” they will be the first to help, encouraging other NGOs. Explaining that two months ago they hardly could access to Sa’ada in the north but today the situation is different and by the help of their partners the UNICEF started working in Sa’ada. Gert  Capilery  the Excutive Director of the UNICEF office in Saana’, told the Yemen Times UNICEF gave help to nine distracts in Abyan except two districts in which the state use militant who belongs to al-Qeada. “We gave help to nine distracts in Abyan except Zunjubar and Khanfer, in access to water, in ministration and other fields “he said. The effects of last year’s events have to be dealt with on different scales according to the UNICEF.  Before 2011, only 70% of the children were able to go to schools, currently 90,000 students unable to access to schooling. “After the crises of last year, half million child were deprived from schooling,” said Capilery. Adding that some of the schools were occupied by security forces, others were occupied by displaced people moreover; when things were better people were still afraid to send their children to schools.  92 schools have been occupied by armed forces in Sana’a only. Preventing over 150,000 children from attending schools. AP reported that Yemen’s Education Ministry said at least 54 schools had been occupied by military forces and militias from both the pro and anti-Saleh camps during the height of clashes. Another kind of help the UNICEF gives to children in Yemen is psychological rehabilitation after the violence increased last year.   “It is happening now that support is given to Children and their parents to tackle traumas”. Many children participated in pro an anti government protests which increased their exposure to violence and the psychological effects of witnessing violence http://www.yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=35136

Saleh Asks Forgiveness And Leaves

SANA’A, Jan. 22 — President Ali Abdullah Saleh has left Yemen On Sunday to Oman after giving a farewell speech on Yemen TV. In his speech he also asked his people for forgiveness and announced that he is leaving to seek medical treatment in the USA after being granted immunity from persecution. “I will travel and return for the next president’s swearing-in ceremony,” said Saleh. Elections are due to be held on February 21, though the parliament has already named Vice President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi as the sole candidate. In the conference aired on Yemen TV, Saleh announced that all his authorities are now delegated to Hadi as well as promoting him to Field Marshal, head of the Yemeni military. “I promote Hadi to the rank of Field Marshal as a reward for his loyalty,” said Saleh in his farewell speech. Associated Press reported that Saleh will now head to Oman, en route to the United States for medical treatment. While, the US is not willing to offer him permanent leave to remain, it is reportedly trying to find a country willing to take the ousted president. On Saturday the Yemeni parliament finally approved Saleh’s controversial immunity law, after it was repeatedly postponed, and finally amended, since December. Prime Minister of the interim government Mohammed Salem Basundwa gave a brief, tearful speech prior to the vote, designed to motivate MPs to vote in favor of immunity for Saleh. “I know that by asking you to approve this law I will be cursed by some people, and some others will be blessed but as I told you before I am ready to be killed in the street for this country,” said Basundwa. Following the law’s approval, independent youth marched in Change Square, voicing their rejection of any immunity on Saturday night. A video produced by the SupportYemen campaign, called “take a wake in my shoes”, sought to highlight their demands to the international community, and explain why they cannot accept the immunity law. However, before being approved, the law was amended to remove the blanket amnesty for Saleh’s aids and regime over the last 33 years. The final version of the law limited the immunity to officials only, and only for “politically motivated” crimes committed while conducting official duties. UN envoy Jamal Benomar welcomed the law in a press conference on Saturday but made it clear that the immunity does not cover certain crimes. “The UN cannot condone a broad amnesty that covers UN classified crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes, gross violations of human rights, and sexual violence,” said Benomar. But according to the law, Saleh’s now enjoys full immunity from prosecution in Yemen. However, the immunity only extends to the date that the law was passed. Even Saleh is accountable for any crimes committed from January 22. A National Reconciliation and Transitional Justice project will also be set up by the government to offer compensation to victims’ families. “The immunity includes everything, even Al-Nahden explosions that targeted Saleh, as no blood is more expensive than another,” said MP Ali Abd Rabu Al-Qadhi of the independent bloc. “The National Reconciliation project will consider those who lost relatives or properties.” On Sunday, the air force protested at Sana’a International Airport, demanding the removal of Saleh’s half-brother, Mohammed Saleh Al-Ahmer, chief of the air force. Many high-ranking officials are also members of Saleh’s family – and campaigners have been calling for their removal as well. Flights were delayed due to the protests, while arriving flights were diverted to Taiz, Hodeida and Aden, according to Colonel Ahmed Saleh. “We will never give up our demands, if General Mohammed Saleh Al-Ahmer listened to us and gave us our rights we would have accepted, but now it is too late, we demands his departure above anything,” said the Colonel. According to Saleh, Al-Ahmer stole billions of rials under the name of air force employees’ bonuses, nutrition packs and weapons. He also deprived them of promotion opportunities for years. Minister of Defense Mohammed Nasr Ahmed met with Al-Ahmer to solve the situation, while Hadi promised to respond to their demands within two days. http://www.yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=35117

نص خطبه الوداع لعلي عبدالله صالح

نص الكلمة : أتحدث معكم في القنوات الفضائية اليمنية حول آخر المستجدات ، وهو ما حدث يوم أمس في مجلس النواب من إقرار قانون الحصانة وكذلك تزكية الأخ الفريق عبدربه منصور هادي نائب رئيس الجمهورية لرئاسة الجمهورية للفترة القادمة حتى 2014م يعد إنجازا طيبا ، و يبدو أن هناك سوء فهم حول قانون الحصانة وهو بأن المستفيد الأول من القانون هو الرئيس أو أقربائه وهذا غير صحيح وفهم خاطئ جدا . إن المستفيد من القانون الذي صدر بموجب المبادرة الخليجية المشكورين عليها،هم كل من عمل مع الرئيس خلال فترة الـ 33 عاما سواء في مؤسسات الدولة المدنية أو العسكرية أو الأمنية وان حدثت أخطأ ، فهي أخطاء غير مقصودة، لأن الرئيس عنده حصانة من شعبه، الذي أفنى حياته خدمة لهذا الوطن لا طمعا في جاه ولا في كرسي ولا في مال ولكن خدمة لهذا الوطن في مجال التنمية وبناء اليمن الجديد ، بناء يمن سبتمبر وأكتوبر والـ 22 مايو وهذا ما كنت اطمح إليه أن أقدم نفسي لهذا الوطن وأن أقدم خدمة لهذا الوطن، جاءت هذه الخدمة في مجال التنمية والبنية التحتية وفي مجال استخراج النفط والغاز والمعادن وعلى رأسها أهم أنجاز في حياة علي عبدالله صالح،وهو إعادة وحدة اليمن في الـ 22 من مايو 1990م الذي اعتبره تاج على رأس كل اليمنيين، والذي قبل تحقيق هذا الانجاز التاريخي اليمني كانت هناك فرقة امتدت أكثر من 135 سنة من التشطير ، وكان ظلم الإمامة في الشمال وظلم الاستعمار في جنوب الوطن في حين كانت الأسرة اليمنية مرتبطة ببعضها البعض. و رغم وجود الاستعمار ووجود الحكم الكهنوتي في شمال الوطن، لكن كان اليمنيين مرتبطين ببعضهم البعض في الشمال والجنوب ولذلك جاءت الوحدة نتاج طبيعي دون أي مشاكل. انا أقول بهذه المناسبة وأنا قد وقعت على رحيل علي عبد الله صالح من رأس السلطة في الرياض على المبادرة الخليجية وأوكلت كل صلاحياتي إلى نائب الرئيس الدستوري وهو يتحمل المسئولية حتى يتم انتخابه في 21 فبراير وأدعو كل أبناء الوطن الالتفاف معه والتعاون معه ومع حكومة الوفاق من اجل مصلحة الوطن لإعادة ترميم وإصلاح ما دمر خلال 11 شهر أما بالنسبة للسنوات القادمة فسيكون لنائب الرئيس برنامجه وهو الرئيس المستقبلي . اتمنى أن يقف الجميع إلى جانبه لأن وقفتهم إلى جانبه وإلى جانب الحكومة هو وقفة مع الوطن ووقفة مع شهدائنا شهداء سبتمبر وأكتوبر ..والشهداء الذين كانوا ضحية (ما يسمى بثورة الشباب والإعتصامات التي حدثت خلال 11 شهر.. لا داعي لنسترسل في هذا الأمر، لأنه في 11 شهر قطعت الطرقات والشوارع وأنقطع التيار الكهربائي وفجر أنبوب النفط، هذه ثورة الشباب التي سرقها من سرقها، ومن كانوا محسوبين على المؤتمر الشعبي العام وخرجوا منه لأنهم فاسدين واتجهوا إلى ساحة الاعتصام ويحسبون أنفسهم الآن منتصرين، سندع هذا جانبا ونرمي هذا التاريخ وراء ظهورنا. أدعو الجميع من هذا المكان والى جانبي قيادة المؤتمر أبناء الوطن أبناء سبتمبر وأكتوبر والـ22 مايو أن يلتفوا حول بعضهم البعض وأدعو إلى المصالحة والمصارحة ما عدى ما يخص جانب الإرهاب لأن هذا له وضع أخر لكن مصارحة ومصالحة من خلال المرحلة التالية للمبادرة الخليجية في إطار مؤتمر وطني عام ليتصالح الناس وتنتهي المظاهر المسلحة وتفتح الطرق وتنتهي المظاهر العسكرية والمليشيات ونبني يمناَ جديدا. مساكين الشباب 11 شهر في الاعتصامات، وفي شباب أرجعوا إلى مساكنكم، عودوا إلى بيوتكم، عودوا إلى أسركم أنا أشفق عليكم وأدعوكم بالعودة إلى مساكنكم وتبدءوا صفحة جديدة مع القيادة الجديدة، وأدعو قيادات المؤتمر الشعبي العام وأعضائه وأنصاره وأحزاب التحالف الوطني الديمقراطي إلى الوقوف وقفة جادة أمام الانتخابات الرئاسية القادمة في 21 فبراير وأن يبذلوا كل جهودهم. لأنه ليس انجاز لعبد ربه منصور وإنما إنجاز لكل اليمنيين.. إنجاز لكم يا مؤتمريون يا من حققتم هذا الانتصار الديمقراطي، وأني أدعوكم إلى التوجه إلى صناديق الاقتراع دون تباطؤ لانتخاب مرشحكم الذي هو مرشح الوفاق وفي ذات الوقت مرشحكم كمؤتمريين. لقد جربنا ثمار التنسيق مع بقية الأحزاب في الانتخابات السابقة ورغم وعودهم بانتخاب مرشح المؤتمر الشعبي العام والوقوف إلى جانبه كشفت لنا صناديق الاقتراع الفارغة حقيقة نواياهم وأنا أعول عليكم أيها المؤتمريين بأن تكون صنادقيكم مملؤه بكروت الاقتراع أنتم واحزاب التحالف الوطني الديمقراطي . اشكر شعبنا رجالا ونساء على المواقف الصادقة وعلى ما تحمله خلال 11شهرا من جوع وانقطاع للكهرباء ونقص في الخدمات ومن أشياء كثيرة واحيي هذا الشعب الصامد الشعب البطل الشعب المناضل شعب سبتمبر وأكتوبر، واطلب العفو من كل أبناء وطني رجالا ونساء عن أي تقصير حدث أثناء فترة ولايتي الـ33السنة، واطلب المسامحة وأقدم الاعتذار لكل المواطنين اليمنيين واليمنيات، وعلينا الآن أن نهتم بشهدائنا وجرحانا. مرة ثانية تحياتي وتقديري لكل أبناء الوطن في الداخل والخارج على الصمود الرائع وادعوهم إلى العودة إلى مساكنهم والتزام الهدوء. وان شاء الله سأذهب للعلاج في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وأعود إلى صنعاء رئيسا للمؤتمر الشعبي العام، وننصب الأخ عبدربه منصور هادي رئيس للدولة بعد 21 فبراير في دار الرئاسة ونعزف السلام الوطني والنشيد الوطني ويحضر كبار المسئولين في داخل قصر الرئاسة ويستلم النائب سكن الرئاسة وعلي عبدالله صالح سيأخذ حقيبته ويودعهم ليذهب بعدها إلى مسكنه وهذا هو البرتوكول المعمول به.   المسؤولية الآن موكلة إلى الأخ عبدربه منصور هادي.. وأعلن من هنا احتراما وتقديرا لمواقفه وجهوده الوطنية ترقيته إلى رتبه المشير.

النص منقول من البيضا برس

Parliament Postpones Immunity Vote

SANA’A, JAN. 15 – The Yemeni parliament postponed its vote on Ali Abdullah Saleh’s immunity law on Saturday, after being approved by the cabinet for the second time last month. Sheikh Ali Abdrabu Al-Qadhi, MP of the independent bloc, told the Yemen Times that the discussion was postponed as the ministers of Justice and Legal Affairs were both absent. “The parliament is demanding that the cabinet be present, when the cabinet has already done their part by approving the law,” said Al-Qadhi. “The Minister of Legal Affairs is supposed to be present when the discussion on the law is opened, but the Justice Minister has nothing to do with the law so demanding his presence is a waste of time,” he added. Al-Qadhi suggested on Sunday that the parliament form a committee to handle the proposed law. “We need to decide which issue comes first, is it the elections or the immunity law, as it was not verified in the GCC deal,” he explained. On Saturday and Sunday protesters marched from Change Square to the parliament calling for the law to be dropped. The march was twice blocked by soldiers, though it was unclear whether they were defected or pro-government troops. “We chose the day the discussion on the law was supposed to start at the parliament but the soldiers did not allow us to continue – they even prepared their guns to shoot,” said Eman Ali, who participated in the march. Talks on the immunity law are not new, as it was first suggested back in March when the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initially proposed its power transition deal in Yemen, but is only now coming up for vote. A source close to negotiations told the Yemen Times that one of the disagreements on a political level stemmed from the fact that Saleh did not want the law to include his opponents Major General Ali Mohsen and the leaders of the Hashid Tribal confederation. Both were accused of the June 3 attack on the presidential compound, which left 12 dead and injured president Saleh and other key government figures. In December, the Yemeni revolution turned towards institutions as employees of government institutions protested and went on strike, commonly demanding the prosecution of “corrupt” officials and mangers – many of whom are members of the General People’s Congress. The proposed immunity law goes against their demands if it is approved in its current form. It suggests that seeks to grant immunity not only to Saleh, but also to all who worked with him in state, civil, military and security institutions during his rule. Law expert Nabeela Al-Mufti, said: “The problem is that the law is too general, giving immunity to all who worked with Saleh for 33 years. This gives it a dangerous dimension.” Another issue is the proposal that the law be implemented both inside and outside Yemen. “The Yemeni parliament cannot dominate the world parliaments and force them to implement the immunity,” said Al-Mufti. Many Yemenis wonder whether or not Saleh or his fellows can be prosecuted outside of Yemen. According to Al-Mufti Saleh can be prosecuted outside of Yemen but his crime must have been committed in the prosecuting country.  However, the International Criminal Court (ICC) can still receive cases against Saleh for crimes committed in Yemen – but any case must meet the ICC standards as a humanitarian or war crime. “It is possible that a Yemeni person could raise a suit against Saleh for a crime that was committed in Yemen in any of the 81 countries that signed the Roma Law and became a member of the ICC,” Al-Mufti explained, adding that ICC procedures are complicated and lengthy but still possible. Issues with the immunity law led to the idea of a Transitional Reconciliation Conference. The brainchild of UN envoy Jamal Benomar, the conference would serve as a way to bring together Yemen’s conflicting parties for a new beginning, forgetting past crimes but also proposing compensation to victims and their families – an idea that worked both in Morocco and South Africa “The law denies individuals their right to prosecute; the concept of reconcilement should be by satisfaction not by force,” she added. “Any reconcilement should offer something to the victims’ families and whoever was harmed by Saleh’s regime.” http://www.yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=35091

The Yemeni National Council: An Overview

Yemen’s National Council is different from the others that have appeared around the Arab world since the beginning of the Arab Spring. Yemen’s National Council is unlike Libya’s – set up to lead the country in its transitional period and direct its foreign policy. It is different from the Syrian National Council founded in Istanbul, Turkey, by Syrians in exile. It is not the military councils of Egypt and Tunisia that have vowed to oversee transitions without replacing the government. To start with, Yemen’s National Council was formed later that most others in the Arab world this year. The Yemeni National Council was founded on August 17, seven months after the beginning of the revolution in Yemen. When it was created, another entity, the Transitional Council, had already been formed by female activist and later Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakul Karman. It all started after an assassination attempt against President Ali Abdullah Saleh on June 3. After the president fled to Saudi Arabia for treatment of his injuries, a conflict emerged among revolutionary entities in Yemen as to how best to lead the country during his absence. The independent youth insisted on a transitional council to do this, but the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP), the traditional political opposition who were part of the revolution, were against the idea because they feared that it would lead to an escalation in violence similar to that in Benghazi, Libya. Karman however went ahead and founded the Transitional Council on July 17. Exactly a month later, the National Council followed. “The National Council was formed by the JMP as a direct a result of Karman forming the Transitional Council, to block her way, so that they could be the main player in the country,” said Sultan Al-Rada’ai, the coordinator of the independent youth at Change Square. “The JMP said that Karman’s council was a stillborn, but we say that the JMP’s council was a hysterical pregnancy.” He added that, when it was founded, the National Council was not the same as originally suggested. In the end, it contained more members to satisfy different groups, but the large number that was added was not taken seriously in making decisions. “Mid-July, the JMP contacted us secretly and gave us the proposal,” said Al-Radai. “We had a meeting. We were six representatives from the main actors in the square: one from Islah, one from the Socialists, one from the Nasserites, one from the civil society movements, one from the Houthis, and me as the  independent.” Al-Ridai notes that although Islah, the Socialists, and the Nasserites are technically already part of the JMP, they were however approached as independent parties and offered remaining seats to bolster the JMP’s presence in the council. On August 17, when the National Council was formed, two main players in Yemeni politics, the Houthis and the Southern Movement, announced their withdrawal from both the JMP’s National Council and Karman’s Transitional Council in protest at unfair representation. The Houthis are supporters of a rebellion against the regime in the Sa’ada governorate in north Yemen, and the Southern Movement have been protesting for the independence of the south since 2007. The Southern Movement, for example, had been allocated 35 representatives in the National Council but felt that the latter did not truly represent them, according to Al-Radai. The National Council was made up of three parts: 1,500 people in a general assembly, 281 National Council members, with 35 decision makers on a an executive board headed by Mohamed Basundwa, now the prime minister of the National Unity Government. When it was formed, many protesters complained that, like Saleh’s regime before it, the council had empowered tribal figures and reproduced the same power structures that had been around for years. The independent youth who started the revolution were almost entirely absent from the council, as the youth’s share was taken up by politically-affiliated youth who were not independent although they were presented to the public as such. When the GCC-brokered power transfer deal was later signed on November 23, the public learnt for the first time that the JMP had signed it as the National Council, rather than as a coalition of political parties. This has made protesters believe that the only reason the council was formed in the first place was so that the deal could be signed by a body that sounded like it was backed up by the protesters, although they said that it was not. When the deal was signed, some figures from the 281 members of the council announced their resignation in protest at not having been consulted about the deal. “Members did not vote for this decision, everyone was surprised, the council had not gathered for almost two months!” said Al-Radai. “The National Council was founded to kill the revolution,” said Amar Al-Assadi, a protester in Change Square. “Protesters across the country had rejected the deal for months, and then the JMP went ahead and signed it in the name of the council.” Protesters had been opposed to a deal that would give Saleh and his follower’s immunity from prosecution, as well as bring the JMP and traditional ruling party to power with no real gains for the revolutionaries. On her Facebook page, Amal Al-Basha, a leading human rights activist and a member of the National Council, called for the council to be dissolved after a National Unity Government was set up as part of the GCC deal. She told the Yemen Times that the council should play no more than a monitoring role: “The council should simply act as a monitor,” Al-Basha told the Yemen Times, pointing out that the JMP and its partners in the end joined the regime and failed to bring about a peaceful end to the revolution. http://www.yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=35079

نص مشروع قانون الحصانه لصالح و من عمل معه

باسم الشعب:نائب رئيس الجمهورية

بعد الاطلاع على دستور الجمهورية اليمنية

وعلى القرار الجمهوري بالقانون رقم (14) لسنة 1994م بشأن الإجراءات الجزائية.

واستناداً إلى ما ورد في البند ثالثاً من مبادرة دول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية الذي أوجب على مجلس النواب بما فيهم المعارضة أن يقر القوانين التي تمنح الحصانة ضد الملاحقة القانونية والقضائية للرئيس ومن عملوا معه خلال فترة حكمه وعلى الفقرة التاسعة من الآلية التنفيذية للمبادرة التي أوجبت على الأطراف اتخاذ الخطوات اللازمة لضمان اعتماد مجلس النواب للتشريعات والقوانين الأخرى اللازمة للتنفيذ الكامل للالتزامات المتعلقة بالضمانات المتعهد بها في مبادرة مجلس التعاون الخليجي وآلياتها التنفيذية الموقعتين في مدينة الرياض بتاريخ 23/11/2011م برعاية كريمة من خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك/ عبدالله بن عبدالعزيز ووزراء خارجية دول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية وسفراء الدول الدائمة العضوية في مجلس الأمن الدولي وسفير الاتحاد الأوروبي المعتمدين في اليمن.

وأخذاً في الاعتبار ما جاء في قرار مجلس الأمن رقم 2014 بتاريخ 21/10/2011م في فقرته الرابعة التي دعت كافة الأطراف في اليمن إلى الالتزام بتنفيذ تسوية سياسية قائمة على هذه المبادرة.

وحرصاً على أن يساهم كل أبناء الشعب اليمني في مسيرة البناء والتنمية

واحتواءً للآثار التي نتجت عن الأزمة الداخلية التي حدثت أثناء الفترة الماضية وما نتج عنها

وتجسيداً لروح التسامح الأصيلة في عقل وضمير الشعب اليمني

ونظراً لمقتضيات المصلحة الوطنية

وبعد موافقة مجلس النواب

أصدرنا القانون التالي نصه:

مادة (1) يمنح الأخ/ علي عبدالله صالح – رئيس الجمهورية- ومن عمل معه في جميع أجهزة ومؤسسات الدولة المدنية والعسكرية والأمنية خلال فترة حكمه حصانة كاملة من الملاحقة القانونية والفضائية في أية شكاوى أو طلبات أو دعاوى قضائية يمكن أن ترفع أو تكون قد رفعت أمام أي جهات قضائية أو إدارية داخل الجمهورية اليمنية أو خارجها وذلك أثناء ممارستهم لمهامهم خلال فترة حكمه.

مادة (2) يعتبر هذا القانون من أعمال السيادة ولا يجوز إلغائه أو الطعن فيه.

مادة (3) يعمل بهذا القانون من تاريخ صدوره وينشر في الجريدة الرسمية.

صدر برئاسة الجمهورية – صنعاء

بتاريخ

الموافق

عبدربه منصور هادي

نائب رئيس الجمهورية

هذه الصورة توضح رأي الشعب الذي نصبوا انفسهم ممثلينهم و الذي اوحوا مسبقا في اعلا النص انهم متحدثن باسمه

Military Protests Continue

SANAA, Jan. 6 – Sana’a Police Patrolmen’s demands to officially oust their director remain on hold as they were told by the Interior Minister on Wednesday that this change requires a presidential decree, not possible until after presidential elections in Feb, 21, 2012. Patrol Director Colonel Abdu al-Ghani Al-Wajeeh as the protestors claim is corrupt and bias in his management decisions which affected their careers. Al-Wajeeh had held his position for more than 11 years despite having many complaints made against him during that span. “Our demand is to remove him from his position and to hold him accountable…where did he get his money from?” said Saeed Saleh, one of the protesters. On Jan 1, 2011, the colonel was suspended in an effort by the head of the Security Administration to calm the protesters. The Protest Committee raised its demands, asking for the change to be made final by the interior minister. However, they were content to wait until February, putting an end to the protests had started on Dec. 28, 2011 in front of the Security Administration facility at Tahrir Square in Sana’a. “The change was big’ the temporary director is known to be an impartial person that would help to improve the facility,” said the head of the committee, who asked to remain anonymous after members of the committee received death threats. The timing of the patrolmens’ actions is part of a larger institutional movement that has been taking place since December 2011. The atmosphere of change that came as a result of the Arab Spring provided inspiration for what may be the beginning of an institutional revolution in Yemen. “They are soldiers, we are soldiers too; they are armed, we are armed too. But we chose to make our demands peacefully,” said Mohammed Sameer, a soldier. The fact that soldiers from the Security Administration have started to protest also raises questions about the performance of – and difficulties faced by – the Military Committee during the present time. Protests at security institutions add further difficulties to the committee’s work. The Yemen Times contacted Interior minister Abd al-Qader Qahtan to clarify the situation. “We are doing our best to heal the situation,” he commented, adding that he can’t issue any press statements before at least one month has passed. “We will not be protesting for long, as we are a service facility, and the city would soon be in chaos if we did so,” one of the organizers for the patrolmen’s protest told the Yemen Times. Those protesting told the Yemen Times that they were forced to protect the “thugs” in Tahrir Square for the past ten months. As on February 2 of 2011, when pro-regime protesters took over Tahrir Square as part of a bid to keep President Ali Abdullah Saleh in power. Orders to clash with anti-government protesters were also given. http://www.yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=35055

Fresh Fuel Shortages, Controversy

SANA’A, Jan. 7 – Taxi drivers protested on Friday in front of the Yemeni Oil Company’s main office on Sixty Meters Road. Their demand was twofold: that the market be provided with fuel, and for fuel prices to be reduced. The company told the Yemen times that they do not have authority to control fuel prices, and that it is the responsibility of the cabinet. “ Our job is to distribute fuel and has nothing to do with raising prices; the cabinet determines oil subsidies and the amount of imports, which the government has to cover. Meanwhile, Yemenis have questioned the Minister of Oil and Minerals about a renewed fuel shortage in the Yemeni capital, present since mid-December. The minister had promised to supply the capital city with fuel on December 27, but until the newspaper went to print there had been no improvement. The minister had said that the fuel shortage was due to road blocks. Eyewitnesses told the Yemen Times that the Republican Guards, commanded by outgoing president Saleh’s son Ahmed Ali, were blocking the road from Hodeida to Sana’a and preventing fuel trucks from entering the Yemeni capital. “I saw more than 200 fuel trucks inside and outside Ahmed Ali’s petrol company in Subaha, 25 km from Sana’a,” said Jamal Hadi who saw the scene on his way to Hodeida, and was one of several to relate the same story to the Yemen Times. “The trucks unloaded the fuel into large tanks inside the company that were at least a 20-meter high and 20-meter wide.” “It is politics that keep Sana’a in need of fuel and electricity,” said taxi driver Mohammed Rajab. “We know that the fuel is there but they divide it among the corrupt, the thieves, and deprive us.” “Saleh’s regime is trying to make the National Unity Government fail by blocking the most important service which is fuel,” Mustafa Naser, chairman of the Studies and Economic Media Center, told the Yemen Times. Tribesmen as well as the Republican Guard block the Hodeida – Sana’a road, he said. On December 31, Reuters quoted the Yemeni minister of oil and minerals as saying that Saudi Arabia would give Yemen fuel that would be enough for two months, the second time in six months that Saudi Arabia was to bail Yemen out with fuel during the political crisis. “Fuel distribution by other countries should be fair this time,” Naser said, explaining that the first donation did not help much in improving the life of ordinary citizens. “The National Unity Government should prioritize fuel over any other issue right now,” he said. The parliament has called on armed forces and security members to uphold their legal responsibility to prevent road blocks or sabotage. It has also demanded that the Ministry of Oil and Minerals provide fuel to citizens as well as regulate its price in all governorates. At the moment, in the Marib Govrnorate 20 liters of fuel cost YR 1,500, in Aden and Shabwa YR1,600, and in Sana’a YR 3,500. Although it is said that the price of fuel is higher in the capital because its quality is better, many have complained that unleaded fuel burns faster than normal fuel. “I don’t know what is wrong with this Super Unleaded fuel,” said car owner Amani Ahmed. “On the same route that I take every day, this one ends really fast. I believe they cheat us on the quality. ” Due to the prices difference, some Sana’a residents actually travel go to other governorates to fill their cars. “I went all the way to Marib to fill my car,” one driver told the Yemen Times. “I bought six 60-liter tanks for my friends as well.” The price differences also encourage black market dealers to sell in the streets. The government must clamp down on fuel smugglers, said Naser. http://www.yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=35057