Recent access to detention facilities on former UAE military bases in Yemen has confirmed long-standing allegations of a network of secret prisons operated by the UAE and allied forces during Yemen's civil war. The BBC's investigation revealed disturbing accounts from former detainees who reported physical abuse and sexual assault at various sites.
Former detainees described being held in shipping containers, some of which had names and dates scratched into the walls, indicating the grim reality of their confinement. Allegations of mistreatment include beatings and torture, with certain detainees reporting that they were blindfolded and forced to remain seated for extended periods within cramped quarters, often with up to 60 men crammed into a single container.
The UAE has previously denied accusations of human rights abuses, but as the Yemeni government regains control of territory formerly held by UAE-backed forces, the revelation of these secret prisons raises significant questions regarding the treatment and ongoing detention of many individuals.
Human rights organizations have long documented such practices, and many families of detainees, including mothers who have not seen their sons in years, continue to seek answers about the fate and conditions of their loved ones.
Examining the impact of these secret prisons is vital not only for the victims and their families but also to inform the international community about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
Former detainees described being held in shipping containers, some of which had names and dates scratched into the walls, indicating the grim reality of their confinement. Allegations of mistreatment include beatings and torture, with certain detainees reporting that they were blindfolded and forced to remain seated for extended periods within cramped quarters, often with up to 60 men crammed into a single container.
The UAE has previously denied accusations of human rights abuses, but as the Yemeni government regains control of territory formerly held by UAE-backed forces, the revelation of these secret prisons raises significant questions regarding the treatment and ongoing detention of many individuals.
Human rights organizations have long documented such practices, and many families of detainees, including mothers who have not seen their sons in years, continue to seek answers about the fate and conditions of their loved ones.
Examining the impact of these secret prisons is vital not only for the victims and their families but also to inform the international community about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
