US embassy cable - 04SANAA2600

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