PRESS RELEASE

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Fears Mount for Prisoners in Yemen

June 5, 2013 (EIRNS)—This release was issued today by the Lyndon LaRouche Political Action Committee.

Just as the hunger-strike among the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba entered its 120th day today, there are direct reports to EIR of fears for the health of about 50 young male prisoners who are on hunger-strike in Yemen itself. These are the so-called "Revolutionary Youth," who fought against the dictatorship of Ali Abdulla Saleh in 2011, and whom he imprisoned. When Saleh was replaced by a transitional coalition government at the end of that year, the new government promised to release all of these prisoners. The new President, Rabbo Mansour Hadi, also signed a decree to that effect. Many were released, but 50-60 are still locked up.

Most of these have been on hunger strike since May 25, to call attention to this injustice and to try to secure their release. On June 3, Yemen's Human Rights Minister, Hooria Mashhour, began her own hunger-strike in front of Sana's Central Prison, where about 22 of these prisoners are on hunger-strike, in support of their release. Her hunger strike was joined by about twenty other prominent Yemeni figures. Thereafter, Mashhour also suspended her participation in the work of the government until the men are released.

Fears mounted for the men after they reportedly pulled the intravenous drip-feeds from their arms during the evening of June 4.