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Yemen: Whether properties of southern residents, especially those owned by members of the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP), were confiscated by the northern authorities; whether any compensation was granted to persons who had their properties confiscated; whether persons who requested the return of their properties in 1994 were subject to harassment by northern forces

Information on this subject is scarce.

The following brief information was provided during a 20 June 2000 telephone interview with a Professor of Political Science at the University of Richmond. The professor has travelled and published extensively on Yemen, is a consultant for Middle East Watch and a member of the American Institute for Yemeni (AIYS). There were properties held by members of the YSP which were confiscated in 1994. However, it was not a systematic practice. An institution was responsible for taking the complaints of people who had their property confiscated. The professor had no additional information on this institution or on whether southerners who, in 1994, complained of confiscated properties, were mistreated.

In an interview with Mr. Mohsin Ahmad Ben Shamlan, Hadhramout Deputy Governor, The Yemen Times reported that

Despite the lack of the financial resources and the difficulties we face we have been able to make a good step in Hadhramout. For example, we have helped the people peacefully get back their properties and the first thing we began with was the trading houses. Regarding the buildings, 60-70% of them have been returned to theirreal owners. What blocks us in this regard is that most of the residents in the remaining buildings are unable to move because they can not afford for building on their pieces of lands given to them ascompensation. The period prescribed to these residents to leave has elapsed but due to the reason mentioned the governor has ordered togive them a one-year extension with a little raise in the rent to satisfy the owners. During the extension period, we will try to build apartments for people with low income. The Government, on its side, is also participating in the efforts made to help these people by giving them pieces of lands to build on.

Of course some problems do erupt during the compensation process. For example, some beneficiaries do not know the exactlocation of the pieces of lands given to them. There is a Society to look for solutions to such problems. This Society is supported bymany organizations as well as the government to build more public apartments (9-15 Aug. 1999).

The Yemen Times also reported that on 23 March 1998, the North-Sanaa courtissued its verdict regarding the 16 secessionist leaders tried in absentia under the accusation of having started the 1994 war and declaring the secession of southern Yemen (30 Mar.-5 Apr. 1998). Some of them were tried for "high treason". Those are:

Ali Salim Al-Beedh, Hayder Abu Bakar Al-Attas, Saleh Munasser Al-Sayli, Haytham Qassem Taher, and Saleh Obaid Ahmed were all sentenced to death. Abdulrahman Ali Al-Jifri was sentenced to a suspended 10 imprisonment. Anees Hassan Yahya and Saleh Mohammed Jibran were sentenced to a suspended five years imprisonment. Suleiman Nasser Masoud was sentenced to a suspended 7 years imprisonment. Obaid Ahmed Bin Daghr was sentenced to a suspended 3 years imprisonment. Qassem Slaeh Abdulrabb Afif and Saleh Shayif Hussein were aquitted (ibid.).

The article adds that

The bank accounts of the people sentenced to death, those of their relatives, or those working for them are to be confiscated. The sentenced have also to pay blood money to the families of the people who died during the war and compensation for the injured ones (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Professor of Political Science, University of Richmond, and a consultant for Middle East Watch. 20 June 2000. Telephone interview.

The Yemen Times [Sanaa]. 9-15 August 1999. Issue 32, Vol IX. "Interview: Hadhramout Deputy Governor". < http://www.yementimes.com/99/iss32/intrview.htm > [Accessed 21 June 2000]

_____. 30 March-5 April 1998. Issue 13, Vol VIII. "Secessionists Sentenced". < http:// www.yementimes.com/98/iss13/front.htm > [Accessed 21 June 2000]

Additional Sources Consulted

The Yemen Times [Sana'a]. 1994-2000

The Yemen Observer. 1994-2000

Bidwell, Robin. 1983. The Two Yemens. Longman Westview Press.

International Journal of Middle Eastern Studies.

Journal of Arab Affairs. 1994-2000.

MERIA Journal. 1994-2000. < http://www.biu.ac.il/SOC/ besa/meria/journal/previousj.html >

The Middle East Journal. 1994-2000

Middle East Review. 1993/94-1998

Monde Arabe Maghreb-Machrek. 1994-2000

Saint-Prot, Charles. 1997. L'Arabie Heureuse: De l'Antiquité à Ali Abdallah Saleh, Le Réunificateur du Yémen. Paris: Éllipses.

Thoraval, Yves, Abdelamir, Chawki and Nied, André. 1995. Le Yemen et la Mer Rouge. Paris: L'Harmattan.

World News Connection (WNC)

Topics: Forcible return,