Mwatana is an independent Yemeni organization established in 2007 and advocates for human rights. Even though the former regime of President Ali Abdullah Saleh declined to provide the organization with the permit to conduct its work, Mwatana was able to implement its activities and participate with other parties in advocacy campaigns against the violations of human rights committed in various parts of Yemen, including those committed against the peaceful Southern Movement sit-ins, during the Saadah wars, and the arrests of activists, opponents, and journalists. Furthermore, “Mwatana” cooperated and coordinated with international partners in documenting human rights violations in Yemen.

In April 2013, Mwatana finally obtained its permit and was able to expand its institutional capacities and intensify its activities. Mwatana is currently documenting the violations committed by the parties to the conflict and the various authorities and is publishing the results of its investigations in multiple publications. Mwatana also provides legal support and advice to victims of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance, in addition to implementing advocacy activities and campaigns at the international level and among decision-makers. It also works to ensure accountability for violators and justice for victims and to build capacity in the human rights field.

In 2018, the Baldwin Award recognized Mwatana’s work. Human Rights First announced awarding the 2018 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty to Mwatana. In the same year, the 10th International Hrant Dink Award was granted to Mwatana for depicting to the world the status of human rights in Yemen and for fighting against human rights violations in the country. In 2019, the American magazine “Time” listed Radhya Almutawakel (Chairperson of the organization) among its 100 most influential people in the world.

Vision

A society where justice and full access to rights is guaranteed to everyone.

Their message

Mwatana advocates for human rights through the verification and documentation of violations, provision of legal support to victims, lobbying, as well as awareness-raising, and capacity building.

Goals

– Contribute to the reduction of human rights violations
– Contribute to building a Human Rights Memory
– Lobbying for redressing victims and demanding the full accountability of perpetrators of human rights violations.
– Raising the awareness of Human Rights.
– Strengthening capacity in the field of human rights.
– Lobbying towards building legislation and policies in line with Human Rights principles.

Mwatana operates through different tools that include:

• - Monitoring and documentation through conducting field visits and research on the incidents of violations of Human Rights, taking the testimonies of witnesses, scrutinizing and studying the pieces of evidence in accordance with the local and international laws. The data collected is then used in the production statements, reports, letters, or short films that include summaries, recommendations, and clear demands.
• - Studies and Researches. Conducting research studies regarding human rights issues that aim to reach a clear image of the researched subjects in order to diagnose the issue and find solutions.
• - Legal Support. Providing legal assistance to the victims of human rights violations before the relevant courts, public prosecution offices, and other law enforcement agencies by deploying professional and qualified lawyers.
• - Advocacy and Lobbying. They lobby the relevant competent authorities through a specialized panel for advocacy to consider, accept, and implement the recommendations and demands made in the studies and researches they conduct.
• - Awareness Raising. They strive to raise awareness among people regarding their rights through different awareness-raising activities using modern tools that include films, the effective use of social media, brochures, and booklets. Such work is done to best serve the causes Mwatana works on.
• - Training and capacity building. They work on training qualified human rights workers and equip them with the necessary skills in order to work on human rights issues objectively and more effectively.