Juvenile Laws at Yemen
Yemen's ongoing conflict has profoundly impacted its juvenile justice system and the protection of children's rights. Children have been subjected to recruitment as soldiers, violations of legal protections, and inadequate access to justice.
⚖️ Legal Framework
International Commitments: Yemen is a signatory to international conventions prohibiting the use of child soldiers, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, enforcement of these commitments has been inconsistent.
🏛 Juvenile Justice System
Death Penalty for Juveniles:There have been instances where juveniles have been sentenced to death In December 2012, the UN expressed dismay over Yemen's execution of a juvenile offender, emphasizing that international law prohibits capital punishment for crimes committed by individuals under 18.
Detention Conditions:Children in detention often face inadequate conditions, including limited access to education and rehabilitation programs, This lack of support hampers their reintegration into society
🚨 Child Soldiers
Recruitment by Armed Groups Both Houthi rebels and forces aligned with the Saudi-UAE coalition have recruited child soldier. The UN reported that in 2020, nearly 1,500 children recruited by the Houthis were killed in combat, with hundreds more in the following yea.
Houthi Commitments In April 2022, the Houthi rebels signed an action plan with the UN to end and prevent the recruitment and use of child soldier. The agreement included commitments to identify and release children within their rank.
🛡 Rights and Safeguards
*Child Protection Initiatives: Organizations like UNICEF and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have implemented programs to prevent child recruitment and support the reintegration of former child soldies. For example, the ILO's CRUCSY program aims to prevent the recruitment of children and reintegrate those formerly associated with armed conflict in Yemn.
*Access to Justice: Efforts are underway to support the national justice system in addressing the protection and rehabilitation needs of children, including legal aid, diversion programs, and training for justice personnel on child rights and child-adapted justice procedurs.
The situation in Yemen remains complex, with ongoing challenges in protecting the rights of children and reforming the juvenile justice system amidst conflit, Continued international support and pressure are crucial to ensure the enforcement of legal protections and the rehabilitation of affected children.
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