NCIAVHR Reviews Conditions of 382 Inmates in Lahj Central and Women’s Prisons

Lahj | May 29, 2025

The National Commission to Investigate Alleged Violations of Human Rights (NCIAVHR) conducted a field visit today to both the central prison in Lahj Governorate and the women’s prison located within the Al-Houta District police administration. The purpose of the visit was to assess the conditions of both male and female detainees and to evaluate the legal and humanitarian circumstances surrounding their detention.

At the beginning of the visit, the Commission’s team met with Brigadier General Nasser Al-Shouhati, the Director of Lahj Police, who welcomed the visit and underscored its significance in supporting detainees, reviewing their legal status, and facilitating the resolution of unresolved cases in a manner that upholds the rule of law and adheres to the rights guaranteed by international treaties ratified by the Republic of Yemen.

The visiting delegation included Commission members Judge Sabah Al-Alwani, Judge Ishraq Al-Maqtari, and Judge Jihad Abdulrasoul. The team conducted a comprehensive tour of the central prison, inspecting various wards and sections while evaluating the adequacy of detention facilities in terms of capacity, ventilation, hygiene, and security—ensuring that the human dignity of inmates is maintained.

The primary objective of the visit was to assess the legal and humanitarian conditions of the inmates, particularly focusing on their access to justice and related procedures, as well as verifying the provision of medical, psychological, and nutritional care. The team interviewed several of the 374 inmates, with some awaiting trial or under investigation, while others were serving their sentences.

During the visit, the Commission confirmed that inmates had been presented before the appropriate judicial authorities. The inmates’ requests were also documented, particularly their appeals for expedited case resolutions, guarantees for fair trials, and improved detention conditions—issues that have become increasingly urgent given the rising summer temperatures in the region.

The Commission received a briefing from Lieutenant Colonel Hassoun Yahya Al-Faqih, the Director of the Central Prison, who outlined the major challenges facing the facility. These included the lack of a resident physician, the need for a juvenile wing, insufficient access to clean drinking water, and the necessity to improve food quality.

Concluding the visit, the team inspected the women’s prison under the jurisdiction of the Al-Houta District Police, where they met with seven female inmates. The Commission listened to their testimonies and reviewed their legal and humanitarian needs as part of its ongoing oversight of all categories of detainees.