Yemen should incorporate a comprehensive definition of the crime of torture into its domestic law and ensure that such a definition complies with international standards, so that torture is not defined only as being coercion with a view to obtaining confessions during arrest, investigation, detention and imprisonment. It should also amend its domestic law, so that punishment is not limited to individuals who order or carry out torture, but also extends to those who are otherwise complicit in such acts. In addition, Yemen should amend its Criminal Procedure Law, so as to enable criminal lawsuits to be filed against law enforcement or public officials for any crime committed while carrying out his or her work. Any statute of limitations concerning crimes involving torture in its domestic legislation should be lifted.
Yemen should take immediate steps to prevent acts of torture and ill-treatment and to announce a policy of eradication of torture and ill-treatment by State officials. It should guarantee the right of torture victims to file complaints without fear of reprisal or persecution of any kind, even if the results do not prove their allegations, and to seek and obtain redress if those allegations are confirmed.
