Yemen, The Road to Total Disorder (2)

Yemen, The Road to Total Disorder (2)

Rape:

Three weeks ago the media overlooked one of the most tragic incidents, I claim, in the history of Yemen.  A tragic crime that shows how the values and culture of Yemen have negatively been affected, especially over the past year or so.  A 13-year old girl sent by her family to buy bread in Aser Zone (less than 200 meters from the residence of President Hadi) was taken and raped by 7 youngsters.  The poor girl was released just to drop dead at the door of her home.  One journalist took a note of the crime and organized a demonstration to the general attorney office.  Most people did not hear about this crime.  People are “busy” by the media who is only concerned with the political game.

Robbery: 

just a few examples!

-          March: A call from a friend.  He was travelling from Sana’a to Ibb.  He was stopped by gunmen, asked to leave the care with his family.  They took everything, including a large suFm of money, and then allowed him to leave. 

-          April: 2 couples, from the same family.  They spent their honeymoon in Hodiedah City.  They headed back to Sana’a on their car.  It is common these days to be stopped for around 20 check points, tribesmen, military, security... whatever.  This time the gunmen asked them to leave the car.  What happened after, the four people found dead after their car jumped down the hill.

-          May: Where, off Iran Street.  I was outside the gate of my house.  A man came, pulled me, by force.  I resisted and shouted.  My husband came out, I was rescued.  The man ran away!

Kidnapping:

For many when they think about kidnapping in Yemen, they think of adventure.  Well, not anymore.  Things have changed.  The recent kidnapping of a Spanish diplomat who disappeared on the way to the airport is just one example.  He was found shot and dead at one of the mountains in Sana’a.  The Hungarian Ambassador was also injured on a shooting targeting his car also in Sana’a.

Over the past two years kidnapping is not only targeting foreigners, but increasingly Yemenis.  Tens of Yemenis were abducted over the past twelve months for various reasons, including the kidnapping of women and children.

Traffic:

About 18 months ago the government decided that I wanted to enforce the use of safety seat belts in the cars and ban the use of mobile phones by drivers.  It issued a law with very high fines to be paid by violators.  At that time it was definitely not the most urgent priority to improve traffic, but it worked.

Today, thousands of unlicensed motor bikes and cars are running throughout the country.  In Sana’a, where motorbikes were banned, thousands of them are running unlicensed, and tens of un-tagged cars carrying gunmen are harassing people who do not clear the way for them quickly, including poor traffic police and military checkpoints.

You could park wherever you want, drive the wrong way, ignore the traffic police signal, and go on your way un-asked.  Not because you are driving a Porsche, or some luxury car, no, everybody could do it these days.  It is very common to see a driver shouting at the traffic policeman or arguing with him.

Filthy streets are now the role rather than the exception.  Trash is common, in the middle islands, and throughout the streets.  Shops and street vendors are free to use the sidewalks, and even the streets as a display or storage area, obstructing traffic.

Care for yourself, and avoid conflict.  This is the general rule.

Baltajia and Shabab:

Baltajia is a new word introduced to Yemen, or rather imported from Egypt.  It refers to people who are paid to enforce something against the will of others.  It was attached to a group of people (mostly tribesmen) who were supporters of President Saleh.  They confronted the anti-regime demonstrations.  Now after more than a year, there are still large groups of this type.  Initially it was believed that they were paid by President Saleh (or rather the government itself).  Now it is not clear how they are “paid”.  Many of these stay in tents in Tahrir Square, the center of Sana’a City.

Equivalent, is the “Shabab”, literally the youth.  People who went against the regime, demonstrated and established sit ins in a number of streets, especially the ring road (Da’ery Street).  These people initially established tents.  Now they have built more durable settlements.  They usually use them for Qat Chewing.  Many were also able to earn money by renting them to street vendors, repairs shops, or the alike.  These people are “paid” by donations from those with “sympathy” to the “cause”.  Most of the funding is believed to be coming from “external” sources.

Both groups “Shabab and Baltajia” are supporting a “cause”, are mobilized by political rivals, and are paid.  Both groups occupy large areas of public streets, with “Shabab” actually occupying a street that is more than 2 KM long.  Baltajia are protecting themselves.  You can hardly find any security presence in their area even after Saleh left.  Shabab, on the other hand, are protected by military and heavy armored machines. 

In principle, both are violating the law and the rights of people, obstructing public streets, harming the well-being of people by killing economic activity in the areas and jeopardizing health.  The coalition government has been trying to get rid of the sit in in Tahrir Square, but nothing has been done about the occupation of Da’ery street.  It seems that the ex-oposition parties are keeping  "Baltajia/shabab" as a tool in the upcoming "national dialogue" and maybe for other purposes...