Beirut – The violent crackdown by security forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) on a peaceful protest by women in Aden, Yemen, is deeply concerning.
The use of force to disperse demonstrators calling for improved basic services is a clear violation of the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly. It reflects a repressive security approach and highlights the urgent need for accountability, as well as the protection of all citizens' rights—regardless of gender—without fear or intimidation.
Female STC-affiliated security forces violently assaulted peaceful Yemeni women demonstrators in Aden on 24 May. Protesters were blocked from reaching Al-Oroudh Square, beaten, dragged, and chased through the streets under a heavy security cordon aimed at preventing any regrouping.
Euro-Med Monitor received testimonies from several women in Yemen who said they took to the streets to protest the severe decline in basic services, including healthcare, education, water, and electricity, amid the authorities' ongoing failure to addressthe breakdown. The lack of services has caused a crisis affecting multiple aspects of daily life.
The women's demonstration on 24 May was the third in a series, following earlier protests on 10 and 16 May, despite arbitrary security restrictions such as permit requirements and media bans. A related protest on 17 May involving several men also took place, with the men demanding the same rights. Ten men were arrested; four were later released, while the remaining six remain in detention, with no information released on their whereabouts or conditions.
In a statement to Euro-Med Monitor, human rights activist Diaa Hassan, who took part in the protests, said: "As usual, on the afternoon of Saturday, 24 May, we headed to Al-Oroudh Square in Khor Maksar District. Unfortunately, we were stopped and denied entry. The square was heavily guarded by female security forces positioned along the route from the College of Education to the Security Directorate."
Hassan stated: "We walked until we reached the square and gathered despite the restrictions, but they clearly didn't want us there. They used every means to stop the protest, especially preventing any filming. Although we respected the instructions not to film and stayed away from the platform, they continued to pursue us—as if they had orders to assault us. Despite threats and the confiscation of women's phones, we did not retreat and instead moved to the back street. However, security forces continued to pursue us, and that is where the most severe repression began. They beat us and dragged us on the ground. Some protestors even had their hijabs torn off."
She continued: "Despite the repression, we stood our ground until the end. In response, the authorities deployed female raid teams, STC security forces, district security, and governorate forces. An entire army mobilised against a group of women simply demanding basic services."
Dunya Shabouti, another participant in the demonstration, testified: "Security forces blocked the roads leading to Al-Oroudh Square as we gathered peacefully to demand our legitimate rights. A large number of security personnel were deployed in the area."
Shabouti explained: "As we assembled, several female officers arrived and threatened to arrest us if we did not vacate the area, but we refused. We were then surprised by security forces chasing us. Female officers beat us with batons, while male officers hurled verbal abuse. I witnessed one protester suffer a broken foot and another a broken hand."
Over one million residents of Aden Governorate are enduring a severe decline in basic services. Power outages last up to 20 hours a day, and water is often cut off for days without alternatives provided. Public schools have been closed for nearly half the academic year due to a teachers' strike over extremely low wages, averaging about $35 a month. As a result, teachers and other government employees are unable to meet even theirmost basic living needs.
The healthcare sector in Aden is severely strained due to a critical shortage of medicines, soaring prices, and the rapid spread of diseases and epidemics. Since the beginning of thisyear, the governorate has recorded over 50,000 suspected malaria cases and 1,000 confirmed cases of dengue fever, resulting in 12 deaths. According to the director of the Epidemiological Surveillance Department, the worsening health situation is closely linked to the broader collapse of basic services in the governorate.
The security forces' attacks on peaceful demonstrations in Aden represent a serious violation of Yemen's obligations under international human rights law. These actions infringe on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as guaranteed by Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Yemen ratified in 1987. These obligations are binding on all authorities, including local security forces.
The assaults against female demonstrators—including beatings, draggings, and the forced removal of hijabs—may, by their nature, severity, and intent, constitute torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment under Article 1 of the 1984 Convention against Torture, particularly if these crimes were committed by or with the consent of state officials.
These acts also violate Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which strictly prohibits all forms of torture and degrading treatment. Therefore, Yemen is legally obligated to promptly investigate, hold perpetrators accountable, provide redress to victims, and prevent such violations from recurring.
Euro-Med Monitor notes that depriving the population of basic services constitutes a serious violation of local authorities'obligations under international human rights law, particularly concerning the rights to life, health, physical integrity, and education. These rights are protected under the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which requires States Parties to ensure at least the minimum essential level of each right.
The authorities' failure to ensure even the minimum level of basic services, particularly for marginalised groups such as women, children, and disabled people, constitutes a clear violation of Yemen's international obligations. Under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the state is required to take effective measures to guarantee these groups full and equal access to education, healthcare, protection from violence, and a dignified life, without discrimination, and to ensure the sustainable fulfilment of these rights, especially during crises and conflict.
Both the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council must urgently initiate an independent and transparent investigation into the unjustified attacks on peaceful women's protests in Aden. The investigation should identify those responsible, ensure criminal and administrative accountability, and provide victims with effective remedies, including redress and rehabilitation.
Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor emphasises the need to uphold the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly, and to end the use of security measures to suppress legitimate civil demands.
Relevant authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all individuals detained for participating in peaceful protests, particularly the six men arrested on 17 May. Their continued detention without clear legal grounds constitutes arbitrary detention, which is prohibited under international human rights law. In addition, independent human rights bodies should be granted access to the detainees right away to verify their conditions.
Euro-Med Monitor calls for the release of all individuals detained for exercising their right to free speech, an end to unlawful prosecutions, and full compliance by Yemen with its international obligations, particularly under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Yemeni authorities must fulfil their legal and moral obligations to address the legitimate social and economic demands of protesters by urgently improving basic services. This includes ensuring stable electricity and water supplies, strengthening the healthcare system, and revitalising education and other essential sectors.
An urgent service response plan should be developed and implemented, prioritising the most affected groups, particularly women, children, and disabled people. The plan must include administrative and financial reforms, establish community oversight and activate transparency mechanisms, and should mobilise both internal and international resources to ensure sustainability and the realisation of the minimum level of rights guaranteed by international agreements.
