This follows the murder of a member of Yemen's Jewish community on 11 December 2008 by a mentally-unstable former pilot of the Yemeni air force, who cited discriminatory reasons for his action. This crime is part of a growing campaign from certain elements of the Yemeni population, which goes against the centuries-long peaceful co-habitation between the Jewish minority and the Muslim majority.

In disregard of its obligations under international law to protect national religious minorities, the Yemeni Government has not provided adequate protection to counter this escalating violence, which has led to petrol bombs being thrown at family homes and physical and verbal attacks directed against members of the Jewish population. Instead, the Government aims to displace the Jewish community, currently living in the northern Amran Governate to the capital, Sana'a, located in the south. However, the community was not consulted on this question, and does not wish to move. In the view of these facts, this would amount to a forced displacement if carried out.

Alkarama, in its letter to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN's principal human rights officer, requested she remind the Government of its obligations to protect national minorities under international law. Alkarama also recommends the Yemeni Government reconsider its decision to move the population and instead offer the necessary protection required to enable the families composing the Jewish community to remain in the Amran Governorate, or if they so wish, allow and help families to resettle in another location of their choice; ensure that those responsible for these discriminatory acts face the appropriate legal action; and be involved in and supportive of community reconciliation efforts and efforts to sensitise the population to respecting religious minorities.

Alkarama's Yemen office will also continue to provide support to all efforts made by religious and community leaders to ensure a return to the harmonious relationship enjoyed in the past by the Jewish minority and Muslim majority.