Special Report
The only crime committed by the child Saber — a pseudonym — was his belonging to the marginalized community, in addition to being a displaced person from the city of Al-Hodeidah (western Yemen). These factors led to him being thrown into the depths of military prisons and detention centers in Lahj Governorate (southern Yemen).
At just fourteen years old, Saber found himself imprisoned in a detention center run by a military unit in Lahj Governorate, specifically in the camp of the Fifth Brigade. The reasons for his imprisonment are weak and illegal at best.
Saber has been languishing in this military detention center for almost two consecutive months, as of the writing of this report, with no attention paid to his condition by the responsible authorities or institutions concerned with child welfare.
Saber’s situation is not unique. It is a recurring pattern seen in many parts of Yemen, both in the north and south, where the absence of legitimate state authority has encouraged various armed groups and de facto authorities to establish illegal prisons. These entities imprison not only those who oppose them but even vulnerable individuals like Saber. What follows are facts that confirm this tragedy, with Saber representing just one small, yet frequent, example.
Saber’s Tragedy: Early Signs
Driven by the dire conditions of war, Saber and his impoverished family fled from Al-Hodeidah to Lahj, seeking refuge but ending up living under the harsh conditions of displacement. To support himself and his family, Saber worked collecting scrap metal and plastic — a job yielding barely enough to survive.
Perhaps these difficult circumstances pushed the young, unaware child to extend his tender hands toward a piece of scrap iron that did not belong to him, unknowingly landing him in a military detention center where he now shares space with hardened criminals despite his young age.
The iron piece Saber was accused of taking belonged to the owner of a metal workshop in Lahj. This owner used his close connection to the commander of the Fifth Brigade — headquartered in Lahj — to have the young Saber detained in the brigade’s prison, where he has been held for two months, according to monitors’ confirmations.
Legal Provisions Ignored
According to legal experts, some of whom are part of the monitoring team, the piece of iron Saber allegedly stole is worth no more than 5,000 Yemeni riyals (less than $2.50 USD). By law, this value does not warrant punishment, as it falls below the legal threshold for prosecution. Yet Saber has become a victim of this trivial piece of iron and, more so, a victim of societal prejudice.
The experts stress that the military camp authorities disregarded legal provisions and detained Saber in conditions unsuitable for a child. Worse still, he has been subjected to humiliation and physical abuse, coerced into confessing to other crimes he did not commit.
This treatment constitutes what the legal experts describe as “arbitrary detention,” violating multiple legal safeguards. Not only should Saber, as a minor, never be held in a military facility, but the law mandates his placement in a juvenile center, with investigations conducted solely by the Juvenile Police, in the presence of legal counsel — none of which was followed.
Additionally, Saber has become, in legal terms, “detained without a case,” as no formal charges or legal actions have been taken against him by the military authorities.
Rejection of Mediators and Goodwill Attempts
Saber’s story became known, and many charitable individuals attempted to intervene, offering to pay the trivial cost of the allegedly stolen iron piece in exchange for his release. However, all such attempts were met with rejection and stubbornness by the detention authorities.
Observers and intermediaries have revealed that the refusal to release Saber stems from discriminatory and regionalist reasons, based on his status as a displaced person and his origin from a northern governorate (Al-Hodeidah).
This obstinacy has prolonged Saber’s detention to two months, with no legal proceedings or clear charges justifying his imprisonment. Even volunteer lawyers were denied access, and communication channels with mediators and community leaders were deliberately closed.
Saber’s Family… Patient but Powerless
Saber has no one advocating for him except his older brother, who struggles to secure his release despite his impoverished situation. Being displaced and marginalized, their family lacks the resources to pursue legal action or follow up on Saber’s case.
Saber’s brother confirms that his younger sibling did not intentionally steal the iron piece but was merely doing his usual work collecting scrap materials. Unfortunately, fate led him to that piece, and now it has become the reason for his imprisonment.
He also emphasizes that the behavior of the Fifth Brigade leadership and societal prejudice have forced them into isolation, living cautiously to avoid further troubles. He calls upon all legal experts, human rights organizations, and advocates to intervene and secure his brother’s release so he can return to living his childhood with his family, not among criminals.
UN Perspective
In 2024, the United Nations continued to call for the criminalization of violence against children in all circumstances, particularly in conflict zones. It emphasized the need to enhance accountability and increase humanitarian support for children in emergencies.
The 2024 UNICEF annual report on children’s rights in conflict zones confirmed that children in many conflict-affected areas worldwide still face significant risks, including killing, maiming, and abduction.
The report also highlighted the severe psychological consequences of such violations and called for stronger international cooperation to protect children in these difficult circumstances.
Furthermore, the 2024 UN Secretary-General’s report indicated a sharp increase in child recruitment by armed groups, targeting of schools and hospitals, and deliberate attacks on children in conflict zones.
The report emphasized the growing number of children affected by conflicts and noted that several conflict parties continue to violate international agreements designed to protect children.
It also highlighted the increasing use of children as human shields, a heinous form of exploitation that puts their lives in grave danger.
Recommendations to Overcome Marginalization and Displacement
The war and its humanitarian consequences in Yemen have created a tragic reality, marked by internal displacement and the emergence of isolated communities viewed with suspicion by host communities.
Additionally, the war has perpetuated prejudices against marginalized groups, with military and security units practicing what can be described as systemic oppression against displaced and marginalized individuals.
To overcome this situation, humanitarian experts propose enhancing community awareness, strengthening the presence of legitimate governmental authorities, and providing legal and protective services to the most vulnerable groups affected by such abuses.
Experts also recommend the immediate release of detainees like Saber, the activation of juvenile rehabilitation centers, especially within displaced and marginalized communities, and the provision of legal and protective support specifically for children and other at-risk groups.
