Al-Qistas Foundation and Yemen Children Platform Hold Discussion Forum on Crimes of Abuse Against Children
Al-Qistas Foundation and Yemen Children Platform Hold Discussion Forum on Crimes of Abuse Against Children
Al-Qistas Foundation for Justice and Rights, in cooperation with the Yemen Children Platform, organized a discussion forum titled: “Children Between the Risk of Abuse and Protection Gaps: A Legal, Media, and Security Approach to Addressing Crimes of Abuse Against Children in Yemen.” The event brought together a distinguished group of experts and specialists in the fields of security, law, judiciary, human rights, and media.
The forum aimed to examine the current state of child protection in Yemen, identify legislative and procedural gaps, and develop a comprehensive vision for addressing crimes targeting children through five key thematic areas.
The discussion opened with the security dimension, where Colonel Dr. Munir Al-Tamimi, a specialist in public law, security sciences, and an international consultant, reviewed the reality of security responses to crimes of abuse against children. He addressed reporting mechanisms, investigation procedures, evidence collection, challenges facing law enforcement agencies, and preventive measures that could help reduce such crimes.
In the legal session, lawyer Tahani Al-Sarari, a legal consultant and human rights activist, presented a critical analysis of Article 269 of the Yemeni Penal Code. She highlighted gaps and shortcomings within the current legislative framework, emphasizing the urgent need for legal amendments that ensure genuine protection for victims.
The forum also examined the judicial dimension with Judge Salah Saif, President of Al-Habilayn Primary Court in Lahj Governorate, who outlined the procedures followed in cases involving abuse against children. He discussed challenges related to evidence and litigation, stressing the importance of mechanisms that protect children and safeguard their rights throughout legal proceedings.
From a human rights and civil society perspective, Mr. Ahmed Al-Qurashi, President of the Siyaj Organization for Childhood Protection, underscored the importance of complementary roles between the state's responsibility to provide a safe environment and the contribution of civil society organizations in prevention and response efforts. He also emphasized the significance of psychological and social support for victims.
The forum concluded with the media dimension, where Ms. Fatimah Al-Abadi, journalist and teaching assistant at the Faculty of Mass Communication at the University of Aden, spoke about the role of journalism in shedding light on these crimes. She reviewed the professional and ethical challenges surrounding media coverage, while stressing the necessity of protecting victims’ privacy and raising public awareness to prevent such crimes.
