The Child Protection Network (Siyaj) calls on the government to investigate the participation of hundreds of children in the riots and acts of vandalism that took place in Sana’a today. It warns of the danger of exploiting children to carry out acts of rioting and vandalism that threaten their lives, safety, and childhood.
The Monitoring and Advocacy Center at Siyaj confirms that hundreds of innocent children—mostly aged between 5 and 15—were recruited and exploited by adults to block main and secondary roads, burn tires, harass passersby, and raise slogans and images of figures associated with the political conflict, under the pretext of protesting the lack of basic services such as electricity and fuel.
Siyaj calls on both the Ministry of Interior and the Public Prosecutor’s Office to open urgent investigations and bring those involved to justice, including the children’s parents, some neighborhood leaders, other political and social figures, and others who funded, planned, and carried out these criminal acts, which threaten the lives and safety of children and harm social security and peace.
It also demands an investigation into the connection between this and political entities negatively impacted by the political change, which seek to obstruct the transfer of power, the implementation of the National Dialogue outcomes, and the work of the international sanctions committee currently in Sana’a.
While affirming its principled and unwavering stance on the child’s right to express their opinions and the necessity of listening to and considering them, Siyaj calls for this to be done peacefully, respectfully, and using tools and methods appropriate to the child’s age and needs. What Sana’a witnessed today, June 12, 2014, contradicts all of the above.
While Siyaj for Childhood thanks the security services of the Ministry of Interior for their positive handling of the situation thus far, it urges them to take legal action against those exploiting children. It also appeals to parents not to allow their children to participate in any dangerous activities like those that took place today.
Sana’a – Siyaj for Childhood – June 12, 2014
