Yemen is an Asian country located on the shores of the the Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea, sharing a border with Saudi Arabia, and Oman. The population of this country is approx 4,13,85,000 with 4,55,503 square kilometers area. Ethnically 92% are Arab, official language is Arabic, religiously 99% are Muslim.
The accused can be arrested immediately from the scene of the crime, and anyone can be arrested with the approval of the public prosecutor or judge. After arresting someone, he or she or zee must be produced in court within a maximum of 24 hours. The public can submit complaints, criticisms, and suggestions to government offices.
These are positive aspects. Now let's discuss the negative aspects.
The state religion is Islam. The source of all laws is Islamic Sharia.
Admirable Articles of Yemen's Constitution
Article 8
All types of natural resources and sources of energy, whether aboveground, underground, in territorial waters, on the continental shelf or the exclusive economic zone are owned by the State, which assure their exploitation for the common good of the people.
Article 9
The state's economic policy shall be based on scientific planning which ensures the best utilization of all resources and the promotion of capabilities for all economic sectors in all socio-economic fields of development and within the state's development plan which serves the common interest and the national economy.
Article 11
The law shall regulate the state's official currency and the financial and banking systems. It shall also define measurements, standards and weights.
Article 24
The state shall guarantee equal opportunities for all citizens in the fields of political, economic, social and cultural activities and shall enact the necessary laws for the realization thereof.
Article 48
1. The state shall guarantee to its citizens their personal freedom, preserve their dignity and their security. The law shall define the cases in which citizens freedom may be restricted. Personal freedom cannot be restricted without the decision of a competent court of law.
2. No individual can be arrested, searched or detained unless caught in the act (in flagrant delicto) or served with a summons from a judge or the Public Prosecutor, which is necessary for the progress of an investigation or the maintenance of security. No person can be put under surveillance unless in accordance with the law. Any person whose freedom is restricted in any way must have his dignity protected. Physical and psychological torture is prohibited. Forcing confessions during investigations is forbidden. The person whose freedom is restricted has the right not to answer any questions in the absence of his lawyer. No person may be imprisoned or detained in places other than those designated as such and governed by the law of prisons. Physical punishment and inhumane treatment during arrest, detention or imprisonment are prohibited.
3. Any person temporarily apprehended on suspicion of committing a crime shall be presented in front of a court within a maximum of 24 hours from the time of his detention. The judge or Public Prosecutor shall inform the detained individual of the reason for his detention and questioning and shall enable the accused to state his defense and rebuttals. The court then gives a justified order for the release of the accused or for the extension of his detention. In any cases, the Prosecutor is not entitled to continue detention of the accused individual more than several days except with a judicial order. The law shall define the maximum period of custody.
4. Upon arrest, for whatever reason, a person may immediately contact someone of his choice. The same notification shall be repeated whenever a court orders the continuation of the detention. If the nominated person can not be notified, the detainee's relative or concerned persons shall be notified.
5. The law shall determine the punishment for whosoever violates any of the stipulations of this Article and it shall also determine the appropriate compensation for any harm the person suffers as a result of such a violation. Physical or psychological torture at the time of arrest, detention or jail is a crime that cannot be prescribable. All those who practice, order, or participate in executing, physical or psychological torture shall be punished.
Article 51
Citizens have the right of recourse to the courts to protect their rights and lawful interests. They also have the right to submit their complaints, criticisms, and suggestions to the various government bodies directly or indirectly.
Article 54
Education is a right for all citizens. The state shall guarantee education in accordance with the law through building various schools and cultural and educational institutions. Basic education is obligatory. The state shall do its best to obliterate illiteracy and give special care to expanding technical and vocational education. The state shall give special attention to young people and protect them against perversions, provide them with religious, mental and physical education, and the appropriate environment to develop their aptitude in all fields.
Article 56
The state shall guarantee social security for all citizens in cases of illness, disability, unemployment, old age or the loss of support. The state shall especially guarantee this, according to the Law, for the families of those killed in war.
Article 154
Court sittings are open to the public unless a court determines, for reasons of security or general morals, to hold sessions behind closed doors. In all cases, verdicts are announced in an open session.
Facts of Yemen's Constitution
Article 1
The Republic of Yemen is an Arab, Islamic and independent sovereign state whose integrity is inviolable, and no part of which may be ceded. The people of Yemen are part of the Arab and Islamic Nation.
Article 2
Islam is the religion of the state, and Arabic is its official Language.
Article 3
Islamic Shari'ah is the source of all legislation.
Article 7
The national economy is based on freedom of economic activity which benefits both the individual and society and which enhances national independence. The national economy should be founded on the following principles:
● Islamic social justice in economic relations which aims at developing and promoting production, achieving social integration and equilibrium, providing equal opportunities and promoting higher living standards in society.
● Lawful competition between the public, private, cooperative and mixed economic sectors, and realisation of equal and just treatment in all sectors.
● Protection and respect for private ownership, which cannot be confiscated unless necessary in the public interest, in lieu of fair consideration and in accordance with Law.
Article 21
The state shall collect the Zakat (Shari'ah tax) and shall spend it through its legal channels in accordance with law.
Article 23
The right of inheritance is guaranteed in accordance with Islamic tenets (Shari'ah). A special law will be issued accordingly.
Article 64
1. A voter must meet the following two conditions:
a. must be a Yemeni citizen.
b. must be at least 18 years old.
2. A candidate for the House of Representatives must meet the following conditions:
a. must be a Yemeni.
b. must be at least 25 years old.
c. must be able to read and write (literate).
d. must be of good character and conduct, fulfill his religious duties and have no court convictions against him for committing crimes that contradict the rules of honour and honesty, unless he was pardoned/ reprieved.
Article 107
Every Yemeni who meets the following specified conditions may become a candidate for the post of the President of the Republic:
1. To be at least forty years old.
2. To be a descendant of Yemeni parents.
3. To be at Liberty to practice his political and civil rights.
4. To be of good character, practices his Islamic duties and have no dishonorable criminal record and if so, he has been reprieved.
5. Not to be married to a foreign spouse or to enter into such a marriage during his term of office.
Article 160
The text of the constitutional oath to be sworn by the President of the Republic, his deputy, members of the House of Representatives, the Prime Ministers and Cabinet members and by the speaker and members of the Consultative Council, shall be as follows:
I swear by Almighty Allah:
● To adhere to the Quran (the Book of God) and the traditions established by Prophet Mohammed,
● To faithfully safeguard the Republican system;
● To respect the country 's Constitution and Laws;
● To fully protect people's freedom and safeguard their interests and;
● To safeguard the country's unity, independence and territorial integrity.
