The BBC has been granted access to several detention facilities on ex-Emirati military bases in Yemen, confirming allegations of a secret prison network run by UAE forces amidst the conflict in the region. Reports from former detainees highlight severe abuse, including instances of sexual assault and torture within these facilities.
One mother poignantly recalled not hearing from her son for seven months, only to see him for a brief moment afterwards, bearing the signs of torture inflicted upon him in what she described as horrific conditions — including electroshock and sexual abuse.
The investigation explores the verified existence of multiple shipping containers used as cells, with some detainees confined without trial and subjected to degrading treatment. Human rights organizations have emphasized that such practices underline a continuous violation of human rights amidst Yemen’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Many families, including victims' relatives, expressed persistent concerns over governmental complicity in these human rights violations, pressing for accountability and transparency from both Yemeni and Emirati authorities.
As the Yemeni government undergoes changes in control following the withdrawal of Emirati forces, the fate of the detainees remains uncertain, sparking fears that arbitrary detentions may persist under new management. Advocacy from families continues to demand justice for their loved ones, differentiating between actual political dissidents and those wrongfully accused of terrorism.
Eyewitness accounts and documentation from human rights organizations have garnered little response from the UAE, which continues to deny allegations against its forces amid mounting international scrutiny.
