The Muhamasheen ethnic community are effectively marginalised and stateless within the existing conflict in Yemen. Comprising 10 per cent of the population (approximately 3.5 million people) and with historical roots in Yemen, most Muhamasheen lack any form of legal identity or proof of their Yemeni nationality, despite having lived in Yemen for many generations.
Without such basic documents they are denied access to basic services including health, education, government assistance and humanitarian aid. They face challenges in moving freely past checkpoints and cannot exercise other civil rights we take for granted including registering their businesses, buying, selling and renting property and accessing the financial and hawala systems.
78 per cent of Muhamasheen surveyed by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in a recent assessment did not possess a national ID card, whilst 42 per cent of Muhamasheen children lack a birth certificate. The main barriers for the Muhamasheen are lack of information, the cost of documents and social discrimination.
NRC’s report, “Access to Legal Identity and Civil Documentation amongst the Muhamasheen” provides a snapshot of statelessness amongst the Muhamasheen community. For a relatively small amount of funding, the Muhamasheen could obtain identity papers, reduce protection risks and claim critical life opportunities in Yemen.
