Centre for Applied Human Rights
Ahmed Al-Kolaibi
Yemen, CAHR, Autumn 2014
My name is Ahmed Al-Kolaibi. I am 27 years old, I live in Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, and I am a human rights defender. I was born and brought up in Dhamar governorate, Al Hada District, one of the poor communities that have suffered most from Yemeni tribal violence, with an ongoing practice of many bad customs and traditions such as domestic violence and "tribal revenge". When I was born my community had experienced tribal war for over thirty years.
I lost my father when I was just seven years old because of this conflict. I suffered a lot because of my father leaving us when we were small to facing troubles of life. This experience has really hurt me, but it's also the thing that made me work for the defense of human rights. I started working within my village, especially with young people because often it is they who are the victims. I wanted to change their mindset by shifting them from being victims to being the solution. I tried to make them understand that conflict is a mistake our fathers made, and that we, as the succeeding generation, should not continue it. I have drawn up several campaigns to help young people to leave behind any conflict that was passed down to us, and instead, to move in a new direction. Instead of continuing to be involved in a conflict, I encourage them to put their energies into useful directions – such as studying and contributing to the development of tribal societies.
Yemenis currently face numerous major conflicts on a daily basis—from political instability following their Arab Spring revolution, to the recent takeover by Houthi movement of the capital and other parts of the country, to the southern secessionist movement, to the spreading Al-Qaeda presence, to tribal conflict and revenge killings which can prolong a cycle of violence for generations. A military offensive against Al-Qaeda, which has targeted areas like Abyan, further destabilize the region and led to numerous civilian deaths, displacement of thousands, food shortages, and massive price hikes, while fueling Al-Qaeda retaliation around the country.
I tried to make young people understand that conflict is a mistake our fathers made, and that we, as the succeeding generation, should not continue it.
I believe that: "Peace and tolerance is the will of Allah, and is the message of all of the Prophets. Without peace and tolerance there is no welfare, there is no happiness".
I have worked as a human rights defender for eight years at the Dar Al-Salam Organization, or DASO, "the Peace House in Yemen". During this period, I have worked hard trying to stop conflicts in my village many times, through the cooperation of many sheikhs to mediate a truce among the parties of the conflict, and to solve the conflict and help them to arrive at an agreement. The end result was the creation of an agreement that obliged everyone in the two fighting villages and prevented the conflict from restarting for many months. I also worked hard towards promoting a new culture in Yemen for the first time in the Middle East, to exceed the debt-to-human relationship and to improve schools, universities, and primary schools. In the process, I have strived to persuade many young people affected by the culture of extremism and terrorism to exchange this for a culture of peace. During the years 2011-2012 and in partnership with international backers, I worked towards training 360 trainees in the construction of peace, tolerance, and conflict resolution. I have also successfully secured the peaceful release of many abducted foreigners.
My life has been in danger a lot of times for the work that I have done. When I work with DASO, I feel I am making an important contribution to Yemen’s transition process and to building a more stable and peaceful society that is conducive to true democratic development, the rule of law, and promotion of human rights and social development. This work has been profiled on Al-Jazeera in print and video. My desire to resolve conflict and promote social development also motivated me to pursue my undergraduate studies at the Sana’a University's College of Law. I have a Licentiate's Degree. After my life was in real danger, I couldn't apply to complete the LLM programme in Public International Law and Armed Conflict. I hope I will be better able to apply to do this through a programme abroad.