Geneva – SAM organization for Rights and Liberties stated that the ongoing systematic violations against peaceful protesters in Hadramout governorate, in response to their participation in popular demonstrations condemning the deteriorating living conditions, constitute a blatant violation of constitutional and legal rights guaranteed under both domestic and international law — foremost among them the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

The organization pointed out that the popular protests taking place across cities in Wadi, Coast, and Desert Hadramout since late July 2025 reflect widespread public anger and discontent fueled by a deepening crisis, particularly the electricity shortage, economic collapse, and soaring prices of essential goods. SAM considered the use of excessive force against protesters — as seen in the city of Tarim where two demonstrators were injured, one critically, and the young man Mohammed Yadeen was killed — to be a grave violation of the right to life and physical integrity, necessitating an independent and transparent investigation and accountability for all those involved.

SAM further affirmed that the prevention of journalists from covering these events and forcing them to leave the protest areas constitutes a clear violation of press freedom, fosters a climate of impunity, and obstructs civil oversight of the performance of security forces. The organization emphasized that such repressive practices fail to address the root causes of the crisis and instead deepen public frustration and further destabilize the security situation.

The organization called on security and military forces to respect citizens' right to peaceful protest, cease all forms of violence and arbitrary detention, and open transparent investigations into the violations committed — particularly the killings and injuries of civilians. It also urged local authorities to engage seriously with the legitimate demands of protesters and to initiate concrete steps to address corruption, especially in the electricity sector, which has become a focal point of public outrage.

SAM concluded by urging the international community and the United Nations Human Rights Council to closely monitor the situation in Hadramout and to dispatch fact-finding missions to investigate the reported violations. The organization also called for support for accountability efforts and for the strengthening of civil society organizations in exposing abuses and protecting peaceful movements, as well as the rights of citizens to demand justice, dignity, and meaningful reform.