Taiz – October 18, 2025

As part of the “Supporting Peace Through Accountability, Reconciliation, and Knowledge Sharing – SPARK” project, funded by the DT Institute and implemented by SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties in partnership with the Association of Abductees’ Mothers, a consultative hearing session was held today in Taiz to highlight the suffering of homeowners whose houses were looted or confiscated during the years of conflict. The session provided a platform for victims to share their testimonies and was attended by a number of victims, human rights advocates, activists, and representatives of local authorities and relevant entities.

During the session, the affected homeowners expressed their appreciation for the initiative, which gave them an opportunity to make their voices heard after years of struggling to reclaim their properties without meaningful official response. They affirmed that such efforts represent an important step toward restoring victims’ dignity and reviving hope for justice.

For his part, Muath Al-Faqih, SAM’s coordinator in Taiz, emphasized that the organization gives special attention to cases of rights restoration and justice for victims. He stated that “SAM continuously works to facilitate the return of looted homes to their rightful owners in coordination with the relevant authorities, and a dedicated committee is following up on this file as part of the organization’s broader efforts to promote justice and accountability.”

The session concluded with several recommendations, including the importance of amplifying victims’ voices and advocating for their cases through media and human rights platforms, involving relevant authorities and local officials in developing practical solutions, strengthening coordination among human rights organizations, lawyers, and journalists to support victims, and organizing periodic meetings to monitor progress and ensure sustained efforts toward justice and redress.

Participants affirmed at the end of the session that this initiative marks a practical step toward embedding the values of justice and community reconciliation in Taiz and Yemen as a whole. They called for continued collaboration between civil society organizations and local authorities to build a peace founded on fairness and the restoration of rights.