The Specialized Criminal Court in Sana’a sentenced a father convicted of raping four of his young daughters to 15 years in prison. Seyaj, which provided legal aid to the girls, called on the Yemeni Public Prosecution to appeal the verdict and demand the harshest penalties, given its legal standing in the case.
The organization had received a report in March 2009 about the crime committed against the girls and submitted a request to the Attorney General to transfer the case to the Specialized Criminal Court. Seyaj demanded that the Public Prosecution promptly bring the case before the court, guarantee a fair trial, and seek the maximum punishment if the horrific crimes attributed to the accused are proven.
The organization argued that, if the charges are confirmed, the death penalty should be the minimum response to a crime of such gravity and brutality, especially because the perpetrator was supposed to be the girls’ protector. Seyaj described the crime as among the most serious offences against the security and safety of society because it involves incest and because the victims are minors.
Seyaj also renewed its call on the Yemeni Parliament, the Supreme Judicial Council, and the Public Prosecution to review the laws related to crimes against children so that the strongest possible punishments can be codified for deterrence, especially in crimes by parents against their children and so-called crimes of honor. It also urged the development of more effective investigative tools, including the use of DNA testing.
