http://www.seyaj.org/en/detail.asp?id=61&sec_no=1&date=25/01/2009

بالعربية

[Sana'a, 25 January 2009] SEYAJ organization for childhood Protection calls upon fighting tribes in Amran province and other tribal areas in Yemen to respect traditions and values of the tribes - if they don’t respect Islamic orders and national laws - and avoid killing or targeting children and women in wars or civilians who are not involved in the fighting.

SEYAJ Sources in the clashes area emphasize that until today January 25, 2009, 63 people were killed, 40% of them under the legal age in clashes which have been taking place for more than four months in the tribal areas of 'Amran' province- Approximately 50 km north of Sana’a.

SEYAJ demands all related officials and tribal sheikhs and men to enact a disciplinary law against any party proven that it is targeting children and women, or using them in combat operations, either as combatants, assistants or providing logistical support or any other forms of engagement that put their lives at risk.

According to Seyaj sources, combatants use children in these clashes and 50% of the fighters in the tribal wars are from children.

SEYAJ express its deep concern about such unacceptable conditions and calls on the State represented by the Ministry of the Interior to do their duty and protect citizens’ lives in general and children in particular.
Moreover It calls upon the media to shed more light on what is happening in war areas to convey a real image to the local and international public opinion hoping that somebody would mediate between the fighting parties to end this war.

SEYAJ also urges civil society organizations and all concerned to pressure the government in order to stop the massacres, which claim dozens of lives in silence instead of that it should support tribesmen to develop their life economically, educationally, and intellectually.

SEYAJ hopes urgent actions and widespread condemnation of what is happening to children in wars will come to pass whether ongoing or intermittent wars, tribal-tribal or between the state and the tribes.

Further Inforation:

** Yemen: War affected children suffer psychological disorders (24/11/2008)

** More on Children's Rights in Yemen

Previous News release items

• 23/01/2009: MEXICO: Child matador bullfight suspended
• 23/01/2009: DRC: ICC’s First Trial Focuses on Child Soldier
• 23/01/2009: ITALIA: Decenas de ex alumnos sordomudos acusan de pedofilia a 25 profesores religiosos en Verona
• 23/01/2009: MEXIQUE: Michelito, l'enfant torero franco-mexicain, "suspendu" de corrida dans sa ville
• 23/01/2009: RDC: Pour son premier procès, la Cour pénale internationale s’attaque à l’utilisation des enfants soldats

Contact Information:

P.O.BOX: 5642- Republic of Yemen- ٍSana'a- Saba Sq. – Next to Economic Media Center
Mobil e:00967-712020332
Tel- fax: 009671-257505
Email: info@seyaj.org

Last updated 26/01/2009 08:30:54

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