The recent U.S. sanctions against Abdulwali Al-Jabari—a key figure in the coercive recruitment of Yemeni youth into the Russian-Ukrainian war—underscore the critical role of human rights documentation in exposing and combating exploitation.

Earlier this year, SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties, a member of the Justice4Yemen Pact Coalition, released an investigative report titled “Death Trade: How Yemenis Were Exploited to Fight in Ukraine.” The report detailed how coercive networks lured vulnerable Yemeni youth with false promises, only to funnel them into the war. These findings played a key role in shedding light on the systematic abuse that contributed to these latest sanctions.

This is a major step toward accountability—but it also highlights why human rights programming and documentation efforts must continue. Without rigorous investigations, advocacy, and international pressure, perpetrators of war crimes and human rights violations remain in the shadows.

We call on governments, donors, and civil society to strengthen efforts in:
🔹 Protecting vulnerable communities from forced recruitment and exploitation
🔹 Ensuring accountability for perpetrators through legal and policy measures
🔹 Investing in human rights documentation and advocacy to expose violations

The Justice4Yemen Pact Coalition remains committed to supporting these efforts and advocating for justice. This latest development is a testament to the power of documenting violations, amplifying victims’ voices, and holding perpetrators accountable.