ROYG REFUGEE CRACKDOWN: A SHIFT IN POLICY?

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002600

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2014
TAGS: PHUM PREF YM GTIP HUMAN RIGHTS
SUBJECT: ROYG REFUGEE CRACKDOWN: A SHIFT IN POLICY?

REF: A. SANAA 00611

B. SANAA 02421

C. SANAA 02006

Classified By: DCM Nabeel Khoury for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. Reports of a ROYG crackdown on undocumented
refugees are circulating amidst rumors the Ministry of
Interior (MOI) released an internal report calling for more
stringency in dealing with undocumented refugees in Yemen,
particularly from the Horn of Africa (HOA). It is yet
unclear whether this current sweep resembles past actions,
which resulted in few if any refugee deportations, or whether
it represent a shift in ROYG policy towards refugees and
illegal aliens. End Summary.

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Reports difficult to confirm
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2. (C) There are reports that ROYG has cast a wide net across
the country to round up and deport undocumented aliens and
refugees, particularly from Ethiopia and Eritrea. Although
the scope of the crackdown is difficult to gage, anecdotal
evidence and press reports suggest increased activities of
the security forces against aliens.


3. (C) An official at the Ministry of Human Rights (MHR)
confirmed an ongoing sweep of refugees in Aden and Sanaa. He
added that in addition to undocumented HOA refugees, the
sweep also targets Sudanese nationals, and undocumented Iraqi
women, many of whom are purportedly trafficked to Yemen for
prostitution, ref A. According to the official, the MHR does
not know how widespread the round up is because undocumented
refugees are afraid to come to the government for help.


4. (U) Non-governmental sources close to the refugee problem
in Yemen could not confirm a major change in direction in how
the ROYG handles refugees. An official at the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) noted that the ROYG
tends to conduct annual sweeps of undocumented aliens, but
usually just registers and releases them. Refugees from
Ethiopia and Eritrea are particularly vulnerable as they are
not granted prima-facie refugee status. This contrasts
sharply with Somali refugees who are more granted prima-facie
protection. (Note: According to UNHCR, there are only
approximately 2,000 registered Ethiopian and Eritrean
refugees, far below the actual number which is unknown. End
Note).

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Is the ROYG ready to change its tone on refugees?
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5. (C) The current sweep follows unconfirmed reports of a
August 3 MOI internal report on refugees rumored to state
that there are terrorists and HIV positive individuals among
the refugee population and recommending measures to address
the situation. According to a UNHCR official familiar with
the report, these measure include eliminating the
differentiation between Somali and other refugees, excluding
refugees from employment and citizenship no matter the
legitimacy of their claim, activating security, committees
nationwide to deal exclusively with refugee matters, creating
a detention center to help facilitate more immediate
deportation of refugees, and increasing the restriction of
movement of refugees.


6. (C) The internal MOI report sparked debate between MOI and
other Ministries, namely MFA and MHR. According to
officials, MOI had become increasingly hard-line on refugee
issues following the Sa'da insurgency in the North, refs B
and C. Most recently, the MOI blocked the creation of six
Permanent Refugee centers throughout Yemen to help house and
facilitate Horn of Africa refugees.

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Comment
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7. (C) It is premature to judge whether or not this current
sweep represents a new, stiffer ROYG refugee policy. Human
Rights Minister Amat Aleem as-Soswa has noted several times
privately and publicly that international aid must increase
if Yemen is to continue to take refugees. What is clear is
that the ROYG is serious about controlling and preventing
further Iraqi women, probably trafficked, from taking up
illegal residence here as prostitutes. Post will continue to
follow this issue as it relates to the status of refugees and
TIP in Yemen. End Comment.
KRAJESKI