Rights Group Urges US to Lift Sanctions on Ex-Yemeni President Saleh and Son

A New York-based human rights organization has called on the United States to lift sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department on former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his son, Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, asserting that the continued sanctions lack legal justification. The group also criticized the Yemeni government for its alleged refusal to submit a formal request supporting the lifting of these measures.

The Association for Aid and Human Rights and Migration issued a statement detailing its position, noting that the U.S. sanctions remain in effect despite the successful removal of international sanctions against the same individuals. The organization stated that it had exhausted all legal avenues to have the sanctions rescinded without achieving progress.

The association argued that the continued inclusion of the late President Ali Abdullah Saleh on sanction lists is illogical, given that he passed away over nine years ago and poses no threat or impediment to peace efforts or political settlements in Yemen. The statement also highlighted that Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh has repeatedly affirmed his commitment to supporting security, stability, and peace initiatives.

According to the statement, legal efforts have been met with an American requirement for a formal memorandum from the internationally recognized Yemeni government requesting the removal of sanctions. The Saleh family and Ambassador Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh reportedly approached the Presidential Leadership Council, its chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, and the Yemeni government regarding this matter, but their requests were allegedly met with obstruction and refusal.

The human rights group criticized the Yemeni government's stance, describing it as a dereliction of its constitutional responsibilities towards its citizens and raising questions about the reasons behind its refusal to issue a formal memorandum supporting the sanctions' removal. It further characterized the government's position as ungrateful and a denial of the sacrifices made by the late leader Saleh for his country.

In its concluding remarks, the association urged the U.S. government to reconsider the sanctions on Ali Abdullah Saleh and his son, reiterating that their continuation lacks legal and objective justification. The group also called on the Yemeni government to review its position and issue a formal memorandum supporting the termination of these sanctions, emphasizing that the issue pertains to achieving justice and fairness.