Ash-Shamayatayn – Al-Turba | July 2025

In a bold step toward restoring social fabric and achieving restorative justice, a community dialogue session was held in Ash-Shamayatayn District – Al-Turba city. The session brought together, for the first time, the family of a victim from the marginalized community, representatives of the security campaign (the second party), local authority representatives, police leadership, tribal sheikhs, and legal experts. It was organized as part of the Restorative Justice Initiative, implemented by the Abductees’ Mothers Association, in partnership with SAM for Rights and Liberties, and supported by the DT Institute, under the project “Supporting Peace in Yemen through Accountability, Reconciliation, and Knowledge Exchange (SPARK).”

The session highlighted the importance of restorative justice in resolving cases of killing and violations against the marginalized, cases that often pass without accountability. It discussed ways to ensure justice for victims and their families and to find common ground for justice and reconciliation within communities affected by conflict.

Local authority representatives emphasized the importance of building trust between citizens and state institutions and promoting transparency and accountability, to ensure that violations are not repeated and victims, especially from vulnerable groupgroup, recognized and respected. They considered the session a first step and a unique model for resolving other pending disputes in courts where victims have not been redressed.

In her statement, the victim’s mother stressed the need to acknowledge the injustice and open paths to reconciliation, saying: “It’s been five years… enough is enough.” One of the victim’s family members affirmed they were not seeking revenge, but rather dignity and justice for the victim.

Security representatives expressed openness toward the initiative, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen social peace. They pledged to enhance cooperation with civil society, review some of the files, hold negligent parties accountable, and provide redress for victims.

The session concluded with the victim’s family signing a formal waiver of their legal right, accepting diya (financial compensation), and agreeing to proceed with the funeral and burial of the victim, five years after he was killed by a member of the security campaign.

It is worth noting that this session is part of a series of dialogue activities aimed at promoting and supporting restorative justice in conflict-affected communities. These efforts seek to craft fair and sustainable solutions that address the roots of conflict and discrimination, and work toward building a genuine and inclusive path to reconciliation.