Juvenile Asylum Seeker Arrested and Charged with Insulting Saleh
Statistics collected by the Ministry of the Interior show that the rate of crimes committed by teenagers and juveniles has increased during the past few years. The most commonly reported crimes include prostitution, “honor” crimes, theft, and the use of drugs and alcohol.
Sociologists attribute the rise to a number of factors, including increasing social, economic, cultural and psychological pressures, and the break up of traditional family units, while many psychologists attribute inappropriate behavior by teens to feelings of insecurity and a lack of acceptance.
“This stage has its peculiarities and characteristics. It is important to have good environment and good company because it is a time when teenagers become more connected with the world outside their house,” said an anonymous teacher.
Another report issued by the Ministry of the Interior recently states that teenage boys are more inclined to commit theft crimes than girls. The report states that of 980 cases studied, 146 crimes were committed by boys aged 18 years old and below.
A field study conducted by the Women’s Forum for Research and Training shows that the most crimes committed by females occur between the ages 15 and 18. The study also indicates that many females turn to prostitution at an early age.
Teacher, Amal al-Solawi believes that the main reason teenagers commit crimes is to escape from poverty. She says the society, the family, and the economic and unemployment problems in Yemen are the main factors behind teenage crime.
However, others disagree. “I disagree with the idea that the family is the last factor. Parents must raise their kids with a clear and a strict Islamic background. It is the fundamental factor which society depends on,” said teacher Sabah al-Shoja.
Amnesty International has highlighted the disturbing cases of children and teenagers who have been wrongly imprisoned for crimes in Yemen in a report published this year.
Mohammed al-Kazami, aged 15, was arrested in February and detained without charge or trial at the Political Security prison in Abyan. The apparent reason behind his arrest was to put pressure on one of his relatives to surrender to the authorities.
Saddam Hussein Abu Saba’a, Naif Abdulah Abu Saba’a, and Naji Abu Saba’a were arrested in Sana’a on July 15, 2007 near the US Embassy, where they were apparently planning to seek asylum. In September, they were charged with “harming the reputation of Yemen” and “insulting the president.”
Ibrahim al-Saiani, age 14, was released without charge in March this year, after being detained in May 2005. Security forces allegedly arrested him while searching for one of his relatives. While in detention, his health gave serious cause for concern.
