About This Report
Hostile Shores
December 20, 2009

Hostile Shores

Abuse and Refoulement of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Yemen

Summary
Methodology
Recommendations
To the Government of Yemen
To the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
To the Governments of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States
To the Government of Ethiopia
Background: Migrants and Asylum Seekers Arriving in Yemen by Sea
Somalis Arriving in Yemen
Ethiopians Arriving in Yemen
A Heavy Burden on a Poor Country
The Journey to Yemen
Human Smuggling Routes to Yemen from Puntland and Djibouti
Reaching the Boats
Violence and Death Aboard the Boats
Death in Sight of Shore
Arriving in Yemen
Systematic Violation of Yemen’s Obligations to Asylum Seekers Under International Law
Running the Gauntlet: Ethiopian Asylum Seekers in Yemen
Arriving in Yemen: Two Coasts, Two Different Approaches
Unprotected on the Roads: Extortion and Violent Crime
Arrest and Refoulement of Ethiopian Asylum Seekers at Kharaz Refugee Camp
Refoulement of Asylum Seekers
Discrimination and Abuse Against Ethiopian Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Migrants in Yemen
Refusal to Issue Identification Documents to Non-Somali Refugees
Harassment of Ethiopian Refugees and Migrants
Violent Assaults
The Role of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Systematic Detention and Refoulement of Ethiopian Asylum Seekers
Access to Ethiopian Nationals in Detention Awaiting Deportation
Identification Documents for Non-Somali Refugees
Failure to Address Discrimination Effectively
Acknowledgements