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Alert

ANHRI condemns killing of peaceful protesters

(ANHRI/IFEX) - 19 September 2011 - ANHRI condemns the attack launched by the Yemeni security forces on peaceful protesters yesterday in the capital of Sanaa. The attack, which is only the most recent in a series of rights violations committed by the forces, claimed the lives of an estimated 28 protesters and injured 700 who were demanding the ousting of Ali Abdullah Saleh's oppressive regime.

The protesters had gathered in the district of Al-Qaa, near the Taghyeer square in Sanaa, and initiated a peaceful march through several surrounding streets. Pro-Saleh forces, supported by militias from Sanaa, attacked and shot at the protesters, attempting to disperse them by force.

"This terrible crime is one among many in Saleh's criminal record against his own people, who use peaceful demonstrations as a way to express their rejection of his regime that has lost all legitimacy. His response has been to kill, destroy and commit more crimes, affirming the necessity of toppling this repressive regime in order to avoid more bloodshed and even more tension in Yemen," says ANHRI.

"The shameful silence of the international and Arab community, and their resistance to holding Saleh fully accountable for his crimes since the outbreak of the demonstrations in Yemen, are the reasons for which he continues committing atrocities and attempts to impose himself as president, despite his people's decision to no longer accept injustice," added ANHRI.