NEW MHR HAISAMI ON REFUGEES, PRESS, AND THE MHR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000589

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

MEPI TO JACQUELYN JOHNSTONE, CAIRO TO GERALD CHEYNE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/06/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KMPI KMCC PREF YM
SUBJECT: NEW MHR HAISAMI ON REFUGEES, PRESS, AND THE MHR

Classified By: CDA Nabeel Khoury for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: During a February 27 introductory call by
Ambassador the new Minister of Human Rights (MHR),Khadijah
Ahmed al-Haisami, expressed her views on Somali refugees, the
new press law and her new role, which she promised to perform
to the best of her ability. End Summary.


2. (C) On February 27, Ambassador paid an introductory call
on the new MHR, Khadijah Ahmed al-Haisami. Haisami spent
much of the meeting discussing Horn of Africa (HOA) issues
and specifically the status of Somali refugees in Yemen. She
noted that Yemen has become the "guard" of the HOA region and
that in that capacity the country would like to see a stable
Somalia in the very near future. She also observed that
Yemen's relatively good treatment of Somali refugees inspired
many to stay in the country instead of moving on to other
gulf countries that could offer them better economic
opportunity. This, noted Haisami, caused concern that some
refugees would turn to extremism if their situation were not
addressed soon. "More and more refugees are coming to Yemen
every day," she warned, "and their economic situation keeps
growing worse."


3. (C) Commenting on the proposed press law, Haisami confided
that although she had yet to read it, she hoped that the
Consultative (Shura) Council review of the law would yield
agreeable amendments to "all sides" and promised to advocate
for a "just law" that protected journalists. Haisimi also
posited that Yemen needed to "try out" the proposed press law
despite "negative" repercussions. "We are going through our
trials, as you in the United States did," she reminded
Ambassador.


4. (C) When challenged by the Ambassador on whether she could
criticize ministers if the need arose, she assured him that
she would try her best adding that the ministers, who were
her colleagues, had "open minds."


5. (C) Haisami also forecasted the MHR's 2006 agenda. She
revealed that she wanted to expand HR training of MOI police
forces since they were "the first line of defense" against HR
violations. She informed Ambassador that the ministry would
be releasing a report on women's rights in May, but would not
issue a HRR this year. (Note: In October, 2005, the ROYG
released its first HRR). Finally, she assured Ambassador
that her ministry would reply to a post-issued Trafficking in
Persons questionnaire sent to the MHR in February -- before
the Cabinet reshuffle -- once an inter-ministry committee had
completed it.


6. (C) Comment: Appearing slightly overwhelmed by her new
position in this first mostly pro-forma meeting, Haisami
stuck close to what she knew: HOA issues (the subject of her
doctoral thesis). It is still not clear how Haisami feels
about U.S. policies and whether or not she will be able to
fill the shoes of the forceful and able former minister
Soswa. The March 8 release of the USG HRR, which will no
doubt raise the temper of the ROYG yet again, will afford
post the first opportunity to gauge Haisami's views and
ability to deal with international critics in a constructive
manner. End Comment.
Khoury