Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 64621 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08SANAA1473, DEPORTATION STILL FEARED FOR THE BAHA'IS

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08SANAA1473.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08SANAA1473 2008-09-03 14:08 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Sanaa
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHYN #1473 2471408
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031408Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY SANAA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0250
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0278
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SANAA 001473 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
NEA/ARP FOR AMACDONALD; DRL FOR JBARGHOUT/JKERN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL KIRF PGOV YM
SUBJECT: DEPORTATION STILL FEARED FOR THE BAHA'IS 
 
REF: SANAA 1441 
 
1. (SBU) As of September 3, the four imprisoned Baha'is 
(reftel) remain detained and face possible deportation. 
According to their lawyer, Khaled al-Anisi, the ROYG has now 
unofficially agreed that they may choose the country to which 
they will be deported. 
 
2. (SBU) On August 31, the Charge d'Affaires once again urged 
Foreign Minister Abu-Bakr al-Qirbi to not deport the Baha'is 
and passed along information explaining the threat of 
persecution Baha'is face in Iran.  Qirbi said the Baha'is had 
overstayed their visas and may thus be deported.  (Note: The 
Baha'i community asserts that all four detained Baha'is have 
valid visas. End Note).  Qirbi also asked if the USG would be 
willing to accept the detained Baha'is.  The CDA made no 
promises, but urged that the ROYG avoid making a hasty 
decision while we explored this option. 
 
3.  (SBU) On September 2, UNHCR-Yemen representative Samer 
Haddadin told Poloff that, despite numerous attempts to visit 
the detainees, UNHCR has been refused access.  Family members 
and other Baha'is, however, reported to Poloff on September 2 
that they have been granted visitation in recent days.  On 
September 2, ICRC-Yemen country director Marcus Dolder 
reported to CDA that ICRC has yet to be contacted by their 
headquarters on the issue.  Dolder added that they have not 
attempted to gain access to the imprisoned Baha'is, but is 
sure that they would be denied if they attempted to do so 
because ICRC has not had access to prisoners in Yemen since 
2004 and assumes that the ROYG would say that Embassies 
representing the detained have jurisdiction over them 
(despite the fear of persecution). 
 
4. (SBU) Comment: Post has been in contact with PRM to 
determine possible procedures for US resettlement, should 
this become necessary.  Post continues, in the meantime, to 
lobby the government against deportation.  End Comment. 
BRYAN