AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

PUBLIC STATEMENT

AI Index: MDE 31/008/2008 (Public)

Date: 18 September 2008

Yemen: Amnesty International condemns indiscriminate attack

Amnesty International unreservedly condemns yesterday’s car bomb attack on the US embassy in Sana’a, which caused civilian deaths and injuries.

The attack was carried out by a group of armed men using two vehicles that exploded when they clashed with Yemeni soldiers guarding the embassy. According to reports, those killed included at least four civilians in the vicinity as well as the six attackers and six Yemeni soldiers. A number of other civilians were injured, including children.

There is currently no further information available to Amnesty International, including the identities of those responsible for the attack.

Amnesty International condemns all indiscriminate attacks. Such attacks are absolutely prohibited under international law and can never be justified.

Amnesty International calls on the Yemeni authorities to initiate a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the attack. Those responsible must be brought to justice in proceedings that meet international fair trial and due process standards and without recourse to the death penalty.

Background

Amnesty International has repeatedly called on armed groups in Yemen to comply with international law, which prohibits attacks on civilians and indiscriminate attacks.

It has also raised serious concerns about the Yemeni government’s pursuit of the so-called "war on terror", which has been conducted with disturbing disregard for the rule of law and international human rights standards and resulted in gross human rights violations.

END/

Public Document

****************************************

International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW, UK www.amnesty.org