Worth reading in full, but here's an excerpt from this portrait of a Yemeni human rights lawyer in action in 2008:
YP: Why does the name of Khaled Al-Anesi only appear in dangerous cases. Are you looking for fame through these cases?
KA: Some cases are dangerous and difficult and this is why many lawyers prefer to escape them in search for safety. We feel that it is our duty against these cases. Further, it appears to people that we are specialists in dealing with such difficult cases. You know that people with difficult and chronic illnesses seek specialized doctors, and not just any doctor. It's the same with lawyers.
YP: A year or so ago you filed a lawsuit against President Saleh. Were you serious about the lawsuit or was it only to grab attention and a key to fame?
KA: We filed that suit against Saleh as a corporation at the Allawo Corporation. We accused the president for being behind the imprisonment of innocent citizens inside the political security apparatus. According to the law, he is the first person in charge of the Political Security Apparatus. I was one of the team members who raised that case. Because the judge knew we were right and our case was strong, the judges couldn't have the audacity and courage to adjudicate it. Finally we were surprised when the judge ruled that Saleh is not responsible about the prisoner who spent a long time in the Political Security Prison, justifying his ruling that Saleh is too busy to know about such a case; however, the law sees him to be the first responsible person in the country. If Saleh is too busy to be in charge of the prison then have someone else be in charge instead of embarrassing yourself with a useless ruling...
YP: Does the government allow you to work freely?
KA: According to the law, we have the right to work though the Ministry of Social Affairs, but the ministry declined to give us license. The government tries every once in a while to make our work difficult.
YP: So HOOD is working today without an legal license?
KA: We presented all the required documents, but they haven't renewed our organization yet. By law if the renewal is not given, it means that the government approves your work and existence.
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