Aden | 17 March 2026
The Minister of Human Rights, Meshdal Mohammed Omar, held a virtual meeting on Tuesday with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Yemen, Janet Seiben, to discuss areas of support on human rights issues and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation.
The Minister welcomed the Dutch Ambassador, commending the strong relations between the Republic of Yemen and the Netherlands, as well as the role of the Dutch government in supporting humanitarian and human rights efforts.
During the meeting, the Minister outlined the key priorities of the Ministry of Human Rights within its strategic plan to improve the effectiveness of human rights work. He also highlighted the challenges facing the ministry and emphasized the importance of partnerships with friendly countries—particularly the Netherlands—and civil society organizations to support the ministry’s efforts.
He noted that the government has taken practical steps to close unofficial detention centers, release a number of detainees, and address the status of others in accordance with legal procedures. He further emphasized the continuation of field efforts and coordination with relevant authorities to follow up on cases of enforced disappearance and determine the fate of missing persons.
The Minister reiterated the government’s position on prisoner exchange based on the principle of “all-for-all,” pointing to ongoing challenges due to stalled negotiations and the intransigence of the Houthi movement, including selective engagement and failure to adhere to a clear timeline for implementation.
He also highlighted the ministry’s participation in sessions of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, stressing the importance of supporting national mechanisms and strengthening their capacities to ensure a more effective response to human rights issues in Yemen.
For her part, the Dutch Ambassador reaffirmed her country’s commitment to supporting the efforts of the Ministry of Human Rights and expressed interest in the ministry’s future plans. She conveyed readiness to continue coordination and explore avenues of support to enhance human rights protection in Yemen.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining communication and coordination, and working jointly to advance human rights and strengthen the rule of law.
