Yemen: Security measures and entry and exit controls implemented at airports in the country (2012-June 2013)
Information on security measures and entry and exit controls implemented at airports in Yemen could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. However, the following information may be of interest.
Sources report that a Nigerian man suspected of attempting to attack a US airliner in December 2009 was living in Yemen illegally after his visa expired, and should have been stopped by border officials when trying to leave the country (CBS 31 Dec. 2009; Victoria Advocate 31 Dec. 2009). Corroborating and further information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
In February 2010, Reuters reported that "Sanaa's airport, like its sister airport in Aden in the south, operates without electronic signboards and boarding for some flights is done using handwritten passes," and that "[d]omestic passengers often only have to show their boarding passes to bypass immigration and enter a luggage hall shared with international travellers" (Reuters 1 Feb. 2010). The article also notes that security procedures are under review (ibid.). The US Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012 for Yemen notes that
[t]he law requires women to have the permission of a husband or male relative before applying for a passport or leaving the country. A husband or male relative could bar a woman from leaving the country, and authorities strictly enforced this requirement when women travelled with children. (US 19 Apr. 2013, 24)
Further information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
Sources state that military restructuring took place in December 2012, and that "border guards" are one of the components of the armed forces (International Crisis Group 4 Apr. 2013, 21; National Yemen 22 Dec. 2012). The International Crisis Group also reports that "a controversy exists over which institution should take the lead on counter-terrorism and border security" (4 Apr. 2013, 28). Further information on the responsibility for border security could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
CBS News. 31 December 2009. "Yemen: Abdulmutallab Had Expired Visa." <www.cbsnews.com/2100-202_162-6042470.html> [Accessed 24 June 2013]
International Crisis Group. 4 April 2013. Yemen's Military-Security Reform: Seeds of New Conflict? <http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Iran%20Gulf/Yemen/139-yemens-military-security-reform-seeds-of-new-conflict.pdf> [Accessed 25 June 2013]
National Yemen. 22 December 2012. "Text of the Presidential Decree to Restructure the Army." <http://nationalyemen.com/2012/12/22/text-of-the-presidential-decree-to-restructure-the-army/> [Accessed 25 June 2013]
Reuters. 1 February 2010. "Yemen Struggles on with Airport Security Challenges." <http://in.reuters.com/article/2010/02/01/idnlNIndia-45822620100201> [Accessed 6 June 2013]
United States (US). 19 April 2013. Department of State. "Yemen." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012. <http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/ humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204392> [Accessed 25 June 2013]
Victoria Advocate. 31 December 2009. "Yemen Says Bombing Suspect's Visa Had Expired." <http://m.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2009/dec/31/ap-right-now/> [Accessed 24 June 2013]
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources, including: Attempts to contact the following organizations were unsuccessful: Yemen Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority, Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Representatives of the following organizations did not respond within the time constraints of this Response: International Civil Aviation Organization, Sana'a International Airport, International Crisis Group, Embassy of the United States in Yemen. Representatives of following organizations were unable to provide information: Augmentiq Border Management and Aviation Security, Embassy of Yemen in Canada.
Internet sites, including: Al Arabiya; Al Jazeera; Centre for Strategic and International Studies; ecoi.net; Factiva; International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research; International Civil Aviation Organization; International Institute for Strategic Studies; Jamestown Foundation; Lonely Planet; RAND Corporation; Small Arms Survey; United Nations – Integrated Regional Information Networks, Refworld; United States – CIA World Factbook, Department of State, Federal Aviation Authority; World Bank; Yemen – Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority; Yemen Times.