SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties said that the shocking video circulated over the past hours, which alleges that a child in the city of Aden was subjected to sexual abuse, raises grave concern and requires immediate action by security and judicial authorities to open an independent and transparent investigation. Such an investigation must ensure that the truth is uncovered, the child and his family are protected, and that anyone proven to have been involved, covered up the incident, or interfered to obstruct the course of justice is held accountable.
The organization affirmed that the case, which became a matter of public concern after the video spread on social media platforms, must not be left to conflicting narratives or campaigns of mutual accusation. Nor should it be met with official silence or general statements that fail to answer the fundamental questions. The nature of the allegations, the fact that the potential victim is a child, and the accompanying reports of pressure on the family or possible links between some of the names being circulated and security or influential bodies, are all factors that demand an independent investigation that does not stop at internal procedures or undocumented clarifications.
SAM noted that it has not yet been able to independently verify all the circulating accounts regarding the incident or the identities of the parties connected to it. However, the gravity of the allegations, the nature of the circulated video, and the scale of public concern impose an immediate duty on the authorities to open a professional and transparent investigation and to publish its findings to the extent that does not compromise the child’s privacy, the integrity of the proceedings, or the presumption of innocence.
SAM stated that the conflicting accounts regarding the date of the incident, the authenticity of the video, the identities of the individuals appearing in it, and the nature of their connection to any official or unofficial institutions should be a reason to activate the judicial process, not to obstruct it. An independent investigation alone can determine whether the video is genuine, who the individuals involved are, whether there were attempts to pressure the child’s family into dropping the case or settling it outside the law, and whether there are other victims who have been unable to report due to fear of stigma, retaliation, or lack of trust in law enforcement institutions.
The organization stressed that any sexual assault against a child, if proven, is not merely an individual criminal offense, but a grave violation of the child’s rights, physical and psychological safety, and human dignity. The seriousness of the incident would increase if any cover-up, pressure, or interference by influential individuals or members of bodies entrusted with protecting society were proven. In such a case, responsibility would not be limited to the direct perpetrator, but would extend to anyone who intervened, concealed the crime, obstructed procedures, or contributed to enabling those involved to escape accountability.
SAM called on the Aden Security Administration, the Public Prosecution, and the judicial authorities to issue an urgent official clarification to the public, outlining the measures taken in the case without disclosing the identity of the child, his family, or any details that could lead to their identification. The organization emphasized that the absence of official information in sensitive cases expands the scope of rumors, deepens public fear, and undermines trust in justice institutions, especially in a fragile security context marked by multiple centers of influence and weakened guarantees of accountability.
The organization demanded the formation of an independent investigation team comprising representatives of the Public Prosecution, child protection experts, forensic doctors, psychological and social specialists, and digital crime experts. The team must be granted effective powers to technically examine the video, access evidence, hear the statements of the child and his family in a safe environment, summon everyone whose names have appeared in the circulating accounts, and investigate any allegations related to pressure on the family, attempts to drop the case, or efforts to protect suspects.
SAM affirmed that the principle of the presumption of innocence must remain respected, and that public accusations are no substitute for a fair judicial investigation. At the same time, however, the organization stressed that respect for this principle must not be turned into a pretext for silence, delay, or the protection of influential individuals. The authorities are obligated to conduct a swift and effective investigation into serious allegations, prevent tampering with evidence, and protect victims and witnesses from threats or influence.
The organization warned that publishing or recirculating any videos, images, names, or details related to potential victims, particularly children, constitutes an additional violation of their dignity and privacy and may cause long-term psychological and social harm. It called on journalists, activists, and social media users to refrain from sharing visual material or any identity-revealing information, and to limit their role to demanding investigation and accountability without turning the victim’s suffering into material for scandal or public consumption.
The organization also stressed the need not to place any social or moral responsibility on the child or his family for what happened, and to prevent any discourse that attempts to stigmatize, question, or pressure the victim in the name of reputation, custom, or community settlement. SAM emphasized that the authorities’ duty is not limited to investigation, but also includes providing urgent protection for the child and his family, free medical, psychological, and legal support, and guarantees that they will not be subjected to intimidation, retaliation, or blackmail.
SAM said that repeated discussion of similar cases in Aden requires a serious review of the mechanisms for handling crimes of sexual violence against children. This includes establishing safe reporting channels, training police, prosecutors, and judges on child-sensitive procedures, reviewing recruitment, oversight, and accountability standards within security agencies, and verifying any allegations regarding the abuse of security status or influence to protect suspects or obstruct justice.
SAM concluded its statement by affirming that justice in this case does not mean punishing only the direct perpetrator, but also uncovering the full truth, protecting the child from defamation, holding accountable anyone who covered up, pressured, or obstructed procedures, and addressing the gaps that allow such violations to recur. The organization added that allegations of child rape must not be lost between official silence and conflicting narratives, nor should they be turned into material for scandal. Only an independent and transparent investigation can protect victims and restore trust in the law.