Amnesty International has issued a call to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) to withdraw its forces from the Yemeni Women’s Union Center in Aden, following an unlawful takeover on May 26. The center is the only women’s shelter in the region, providing critical support and protection services for women and children.
According to Amnesty International’s report, armed men aligned with the STC, accompanied by women from the STC-backed Southern Women Union, forcibly entered the center, seizing control of the building. This incident followed an initial attempt on May 13. The human rights organization highlighted that the presence of these armed intruders caused severe distress among the shelter’s residents, preventing women from accessing much-needed protection services.
The STC de facto authorities in Aden have been increasingly restrictive towards civil society organizations, demanding permits from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour as well as the STC-run National Authority for Southern Media to conduct their activities. This regulatory tightening has significantly hampered the operational capabilities of various non-governmental organizations in the region.
Despite an official order from the Public Funds prosecutor instructing law enforcement to address the situation, no actions have been taken to alleviate the unlawful control over the women’s shelter. Amnesty International has emphasized the urgency for the STC to comply with legal directives and ensure the safety and functionality of the Yemeni Women’s Union Center for the benefit of vulnerable women and children in Aden.
For further details, the full article is available on JURIST.