Yemen Observer: http://www.yobserver.com
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Written By: Nagat al-Anssi
Article Date: Mar 25, 2008 - 7:37:27 AM
The mediator in the case of the kidnapping of the 2 al-Komaim children has said that the kidnappers threatened if they were attacked by interior ministry security forces, they would kill the children. The parents of the children said that if their children died, they were going to heaven and they would accept it as their fate, but added that they would make sure that the kidnappers received their just punishment, and their punishment from God would be even more severe.
Despite the threat that child kidnappings pose to a community’s security, the Ministry of the Interior did not identify the ages of the 134 kidnapped persons enlisted in their 2006 records. Civil societies such as HOOD, the Democratic School, and the Yemeni Democratic Observatory Forum registered 26 child kidnapping cases in 2006 and 2007: 13 in the capital secretariat, 5 in Taiz, 4 in Sana’a governorate, 1 in Hajja, 1 in Marib, 1 in Abian and 1 in Ibb.
In contacting some of the kidnapped children’s families, the following details were given about their abductions:
Fikri al-Muzalam was kidnapped in a main street in Taiz while driving his mother to the hospital in 2007 by an armed gang, who stipulated that they would not release him before settling their dispute between Fikri’s brother, Walid, and kidnapper Abdu-Salam Qaid al- Halumi. The security authorities seemed to be helpless in resolving the case.
14 year old Abdullah and 17 year old Mohamed Yahiya al- Komaim were kidnapped by the Bani Dhabian tribe over a land dispute with a business man called al-Komaim. The children’s families say that they have no connection whatsoever with either the kidnappers or the businessman, who is not from the family’s village.
A twelve year old child was kidnapped from Shumalia market, under the pretext that he was wanted. The abductor took the victim to a hotel and raped him at gunpoint.
What role do civil society organizations play as far as bringing justice to the victims’ families? Abdu al-Rahman Barman of the HOOD organization says that their role follows the receipt of an abduction report. They take the cases seriously and make contact with the security authorities to identify and follow up the abduction scenarios. Jamal al-Shami of the Democratic School said that their department reports to relevant divisions and publishes the children’s photographs carrying the slogans, “Help us find this child” and “Who are the perpetrators?” besides televised reviews through which they reach the largest audience possible.
The abducted families often blame the security facilities for their slow movements and lenient treatment of the perpetrators. Brigadier-general Dr. Ali Farwa, Manager of Women and Children’s General Affairs, said that child abduction is a phenomenon which is new to the Yemeni community, however one they are taking very seriously. When asked about the disappearance of 5 year old Noradin al-Ghorbani, and 7 year old Amiradin al-Ghorbani and the results of their findings, he said that their family testified that they have no enemies and have no suspicions of who the criminal may be. Colonel Adel al-Audi commented that they had relayed the childrens’ photographs to all divisions and that this case is a joint responsibility of the community and the state.
Dr. Sami Ba Nafi’ of an Islamic studies department thinks abduction is a crime linked to the absence of both religious deterrence and security, complementary issues which are part of religion. He added that they often hear of abductions without any punishment being afflicted on the perpetrators, which only encourages others.
Najwa al-Ansi, a social worker, feels that kidnapping is a serious crime which is apathetically tackled. Children’s physical safety should be improved by raising famiilies’ awareness of the issue in order that they can warn their children against being exploited by criminals and perverts. The childrens’ awareness should be increased with regards to how to face different kinds of situations they may encounter. The relevant child-related community and security organizations should also be active.
The reasons for child abduction are rooted in the desperation of the abductor and irresponsibility of the guardians. Physical infringement, personal and financial disputes, ransom payments and negligence of parents all contribute to this increasing phenomenon in the country.