Yemen’s Human Rights Minister Huriya Mashhoor (centre) joining youth activists who went on hunger strike and a sit-in to press authorities to release dozens of activists, at the central prison compound in Sana’a yesterday.
SANA’A: Yemen’s Human Rights Minister Huriya Mashhoor said she began a hunger strike yesterday to press authorities to release dozens of activists held since the 2011 uprising against former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
“I am on hunger strike and I will not stop until the imprisoned revolt youths are released,” Mashhoor said. “Their only fault was that they participated in the peaceful revolt.” Activists say Mashhoor joined 20 other leading youth activists who went on hunger strike and a sit-in since Saturday at the central prison compound in Sana’a.
In total, 58 men who participated in protests that forced Saleh to step down in February 2012, remain incarcerated, while the fate of 17 others remains unknown, according to local rights group Hood.
The organisation said 20 detainees began a hunger strike on May 24, stepping up pressure to release them.
AFP
