Rights Network: Assassination of Civilian Cadres in Aden is an “Organized Pattern” Threatening the Future of Humanitarian Work
Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms on Monday condemned the assassination of Wissam Qaid, the Director of the Social Fund for Development in Aden, describing it as a “heinous crime” that represents a flagrant violation of the right to life.
In a statement, the network said that Qaid was killed on Sunday, May 3, while performing his humanitarian and developmental duties. It considered the incident a “direct attack on civilian employees” that reflects a dangerous security deterioration and the continued state of impunity.
According to the statement, unidentified gunmen kidnapped the victim at gunpoint from in front of his home in the Inma district of Aden city, using a “Hyundai Accent” vehicle, where he was forced out of his own car. It added that the victim was found hours later, murdered inside his vehicle in the Al-Haswa area.
The network emphasized that this crime is part of an “organized pattern” targeting civilian cadres and national professionals, noting that such actions undermine stability and development efforts and highlight the danger of the absence of effective judicial accountability.
It explained that the failure to prosecute those involved in previous assassination crimes contributes to the recurrence of such incidents, adding that “impunity creates an encouraging environment for committing more crimes.”
The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms called for:
- Holding all those involved in the crime accountable, including perpetrators, planners, and supporters.
- Taking urgent measures to enhance security and protect workers in the civilian and developmental fields.
- Ending the escalating phenomenon of assassinations and working to dismantle the criminal networks involved.
- Calling on the international community to support efforts to protect civilians and developmental institutions in Yemen.
The statement concluded that the continued targeting of national cadres poses a grave threat to the future of humanitarian and developmental work in the country and requires decisive action to restore state authority and the rule of law.
Finally, the network expressed its deepest condolences and sympathy to the victim’s family, praying for mercy for him and for patience and solace for his loved ones.
