Khaled Al-Anesi, Human Rights Activist:

When it comes to defending freedoms, our limit is the sky, and we will work until justice prevails. We are not afraid to work  on sensitive cases. One important thing is that we deal with violations and cases which other don’t work on.

Yemen Post: How do you evaluate the Judicial Authorities in Yemen, and are they independent?

Khaled Al-Anesi: Many judges in Yemen are being dominated by the regime and they see themselves as employees. They don't feel the power they have and they are being administered through phone calls by the authorities. Moreover, most judiciary positions are held by army commanders and they are not self sufficient.

YP: Are you saying that judges in Yemen are not qualified, and are only members of the army?

KA: I am saying that judges in Yemen don’t have enough qualifications, and they are not chosen by their skills, but rather by how much they are willing to listen to authorities and their loyalty to the government. Judges in Yemen are a tool in the hands of officials. 

YP: Why did President Saleh charge you with Al-Moyyad's case though you were not known then?

KA: It is clear that I was well known to the president and that is why he gave me the case. What is strange is that I was asked the same question by one of the American prosecutors. I told them that the president does not trust those close to him, so he gave the duty to someone outside his circle. 

YP: Why does the name of Khaled Al-Anesi only appear in dangerous cases. Are you looking for fame through these cases?

KA: Some cases are dangerous and difficult and this is why many lawyers prefer to escape them in search for safety. We feel that it is our duty against these cases. Further, it appears to people that we are specialists in dealing with such difficult cases. You know that people with difficult and chronic illnesses seek specialized doctors, and not just any doctor. It's the same with lawyers.

YP: A year or so ago you filed a lawsuit against President Saleh. Were you serious about the lawsuit or was it only to grab attention and a key to fame?  

KA: We filed that suit against Saleh as a corporation at the Allawo Corporation. We accused the president for being behind the imprisonment of innocent citizens inside the political security apparatus. According to the law, he is the first person in charge of the Political Security Apparatus. I was one of the team members who raised that case. Because the judge knew we were right and our case was strong, the judges couldn't have the audacity and courage to adjudicate it. Finally we were surprised when the judge ruled that Saleh is not responsible about the prisoner who spent a long time in the Political Security Prison, justifying his ruling that Saleh is too busy to know about such a case; however, the law sees him to be the first responsible person in the country. If Saleh is too busy to be in charge of the prison then have someone else be in charge instead of embarrassing yourself with a useless ruling.

YP: Al-Anesi who used to praise the government’s efforts in the past now turned to charging the government with violating rights? What made you change your opinion?

KA: Whenever there is something wrong, we have to be against it. Likewise whenever there is something good, we have to be for it. Our aim is to be against the wrong conducts whether practiced by the government or opposition parties. When government officials do their jobs, they don't deserve any praise for that because it is their duty for which they receive money.      

YP: You described the year 2007 as the year of the setback or deterioration in human rights? Why?

KA: Because it was a year in which Yemen entered critical human rights lines. It is also a year in which the authorities' became less tolerant with citizens. Civil rights were deteriorated; e.g. newspapers were closed, journalists were prosecuted and protests were quelled.  

YP: You said that the court in which Al-Khaiwani is being trialed lacks legitimacy and is illegal according to the law, why?

KA: Simply, when you look into the resolution upon which such a court was established, you will find that it was signed by three persons: the President, the Prime Minister and Justice Minister and all of whom are executive officials. A court like this one does not meet the required legal conditions.

YP: Some people say that the National Organization for Defending Rights and Freedoms (HOOD) doesn't offer any help except causing chaos?

KA: We believe that we have to do the best even if there are no apparent results. We are for citizens' rights. They need to feel free to express what they want. Sometimes in HOOD we have good results, while other times our efforts don’t give enough results. In the end, we will always try and that is why people trust and come to us. Our fame came from success.

YP: What are the most difficult cases presented to HOOD until today?

KA: When it comes to defending freedoms, our limit is the sky and we will work until justice prevails. We are not afraid to work  on sensitive cases. One important thing is that we deal with violations which other don't work on. As soon as we start working, others start to work. We work in areas considered by some to be critical and dangerous. I cannot say which is the most difficult case, because most of our work deals with human rights violations, and when trying to help others in Yemen, especially when the government is the suspect you will always find difficulties.

YP: What is the greatest achievement that HOOD has achieved since its establishment?

KA: It is right to say that HOOD has accomplished several achievements and many lawyers from across the republic come to our office demanding to work as volunteers with us. Further, HOOD has now become very famous and it is like a famous supermarket that many people visit to get what they need.

YP: Does the government allow you to work freely?

KA: According to the law, we have the right to work though the Ministry of Social Affairs, but the ministry declined to give us license. The government tries every once in a while to make our work difficult.

YP: So HOOD is working today without an legal license?

KA: We presented all the required documents, but they haven't renewed our organization yet. By law if the renewal is not given, it means that the government approves your work and existence.  

YP: Children smuggling has become a very dangerous phenomenon in Yemen, where do you think the gap exists?    

KA: In reality, a citizen in this country has no value because the government does not give value to its citizens. Their only interest for Yemeni citizens comes when they use them  to ask for grants or loans from neighboring and friendly countries. When children are ill-treated inside the country, we find that none cares. Smuggling children is a trade and some of these traders have links with the government, so fighting this phenomenon is not effective. 

YP: What do you think about Guantanamo prisoners' fate, Will they come home soon?

KA: They are considered the main obstacle for closing The Guantanamo Prison Camp, according to the American Administration. Yemeni Authorities haven't done anything in this regard only President Saleh's speech which was made two months ago. We can say that a Yemeni is either murdered inside his country or kidnapped outside.

YP: Does HOOD charge for its services when helping citizens?

KA: We do not charge for our services and they are free of charge. Our existence is to help those who need help but can't afford it. 

YP: So are you funded by foreign organizations?

KA: We are not funded by foreign organizations, but we try to run HOOD by using some of the profits we make from our lawsuits at Allawo Corporation. We give our time and efforts to help those in need. A specific percentage of our profits go to support HOOD.