Hadhramaut Protests Met with Lethal Force: WJWC Condemns Killing of Peaceful Demonstrator

A young man was shot and killed by security forces in the city of Tarim, Wadi Hadhramaut, during the early hours of Thursday, August 31, as authorities moved to disperse peaceful protests denouncing worsening living conditions and prolonged power outages across the governorate.

 According to field reports, security forces fired live ammunition and medium-caliber weapons at unarmed demonstrators, fatally wounding Mohammad Saeed Yadin, who later died from a gunshot to the chest.

The protests, which have swept several cities in Hadhramaut Governorate in recent days, erupted in response to the continued collapse of basic services and the absence of meaningful government action. Demonstrators called for urgent solutions to the severe electricity crisis and deteriorating economic conditions that have left many residents without access to essential needs.

 Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) expressed deep concern over the incident and condemned the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. The organization confirmed, based on consistent and credible eyewitness accounts, that a security officer opened fire on protesters who were blocking roads in Tarim. The bullet struck Mohammad Yadin in the chest, and he succumbed to his injuries hours later. The incident constitutes an unlawful and unjustified use of lethal force against civilians.

WJWC emphasized that the killing of Yadin amounts to an extrajudicial execution, and represents a clear violation of the right to life as guaranteed under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It also contravenes the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which strictly limit the use of lethal force to situations where it is absolutely necessary to protect life.

The organization reaffirmed that the right to peaceful protest is protected under Yemeni constitutional law and international human rights conventions. The protests in Hadhramaut reflect legitimate public outrage over collapsing services and worsening humanitarian conditions. The use of violence to suppress these voices is unacceptable and dangerous.

WJWC has called for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the killing of Mohammad Saeed Yadin, emphasizing the need for accountability at all levels—from the officer who fired the shot to those who issued the orders. The organization demands public disclosure of the investigation findings without delay and urges the Yemeni government and the Presidential Leadership Council to take urgent action to address the root causes of the unrest and restore oversight and judicial mechanisms.

The organization further urged international human rights bodies and UN mechanisms to open formal investigations into the violations committed against peaceful protesters in Hadhramaut, and to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable in accordance with international law.

In closing, WJWC warned that the suppression of peaceful protests through excessive force risks further destabilizing the region, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, and fueling distrust in public institutions. It called on all authorities to respect the dignity and rights of citizens and to uphold the principles of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.