Aden – October 15, 2025

The Yemeni Coalition for Monitoring Human Rights Violations (YCMHRV) held its second coordination meeting with key government institutions in Aden to enhance joint efforts aimed at protecting and promoting the rights of children affected by the conflict in Yemen.

The meeting was organized in partnership with the DT Institute as part of the ongoing project SAFE II – Enhancing Awareness and Ensuring Children’s Rights During Armed Conflict in Yemen, which seeks to unify national efforts to prevent and respond to grave child rights violations.

The session brought together 13 representatives (8 women and 5 men) from the Ministries of Defense, Interior, Health, Education, Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, and Social Affairs and Labor, as well as from the National Committee for Investigating Alleged Human Rights Violations, Juvenile Prosecution, and juvenile care centers.

Strengthening Coordination and Reviewing Progress

The meeting reviewed progress made since the first coordination session earlier this year and evaluated the implementation of recommendations related to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), particularly those concerning child protection. Participants discussed challenges and proposed practical solutions to improve coordination and service delivery for children affected by armed conflict.

The Ministry of Defense reported the rehabilitation of 136 children and the reunification of 146 children with their families through coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Ministry of Health stated that 50% of health facilities have been destroyed during the conflict, with 55 trained protection units operating to receive and document cases of child abuse, including sexual violence.

The Ministry of Education highlighted that 267 schools remain closed in liberated areas and called for urgent action to protect educational facilities and ensure children’s access to learning. The Ministry of Justice and Juvenile Prosecution shared updates on strengthening child-friendly justice mechanisms and activating juvenile courts and rehabilitation centers.

Key Outcomes and Recommendations

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants agreed on several key recommendations, including:

• Establishing a psychosocial support team within the government’s child protection framework.
• Rehabilitating and expanding juvenile centers in liberated governorates.
• Developing a unified referral and documentation system for child rights violations.
• Continuing the alignment of national legislation with international child protection standards.
• Enhancing coordination and regular joint monitoring of detention and care centers.

The meeting also approved the formation of a joint technical committee to follow up on child-related UPR recommendations and prepare for the upcoming National Workshop on Child Protection, scheduled for December 2025. The workshop will bring together government bodies, international organizations, and civil society to adopt a unified national framework for child protection.