Euro-Med Monitor Condemns Arbitrary Killing of Aden Official, Warns of Resurgent Extrajudicial Executions

The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has expressed grave concern over the abduction and assassination of Wissam Qaed, the acting director of the Social Fund for Development in Aden, denouncing the act as an unlawful killing and an arbitrary deprivation of the right to life. The organization emphasized that the incident raises serious fears of a resurgence in extrajudicial killings in Aden, particularly amidst ongoing impunity, and called for an immediate and independent investigation to uncover the circumstances of the crime and hold those responsible accountable.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Euro-Med Monitor detailed, based on surveillance footage, that Qaed was abducted by three armed individuals in broad daylight. He was forced out of his vehicle, had his hands bound, and was taken to an unknown location. Hours later, he was found murdered inside his car. The monitor noted that the abduction, which lasted two minutes, was carried out calmly and with apparent organization, raising questions about the adequacy of existing security measures.

According to local sources, Qaed was shot at close range less than an hour after his abduction. While relevant authorities have initiated investigations and announced the apprehension of one suspect, official medical bodies have not yet provided detailed explanations regarding the circumstances of his death.

The Euro-Med Monitor warned of the serious repercussions that the assassination of a prominent civilian figure working within a vital development institution could entail. It stressed that this incident exacerbates the safety concerns of individuals working in civil, humanitarian, and development sectors, potentially undermining their ability to perform their duties in a secure environment. The Social Fund for Development is a cornerstone for supporting livelihoods and responding to community needs.

The monitor highlighted that Qaed's assassination may signal a disturbing return of extrajudicial executions in Aden, particularly following the killing of Issam Al-Shaer, a leader within the Islah Party, approximately two weeks prior. The organization pointed out that such crimes have affected around 480 individuals in areas under the control of the Yemeni government since 2015, with persistent impunity, raising serious concerns about the authorities' failure to protect the right to life and ensure security.

The Euro-Med Monitor urged the Yemeni government to ensure an independent, impartial, and effective investigation into the assassination of Qaed and other similar killings. It underscored the necessity of determining the circumstances and motives of the crime, identifying all those responsible—including planners, commanders, perpetrators, and abettors—and bringing them to justice through fair trials. The organization also called for effective measures to prevent the recurrence of such acts, to end the culture of impunity, and to ensure that all security agencies are subject to the rule of law and effective judicial oversight.