Yemen cabinet approves President Saleh amnesty law
Yemen’s cabinet has approved a draft law which grants President Ali Abdullah Saleh immunity from prosecution as part of a Gulf-brokered transition deal.
The law would give amnesty to Mr Saleh and his aides in “all government, civil and military departments” during his 33-year rule, state media said.
It is still to be approved by the country’s parliament.
On Friday, the UN human rights chief criticised the deal, which was signed in November amid a popular uprising.
Navi Pillay said those who committed abuses during a crackdown on the civil unrest unrest must face justice, and that the deal broke international law.
‘Gross violations’
President Saleh has agreed to stand down in February on condition that he and his family are granted immunity from prosecution.
The proposed law, which was drafted by a national unity cabinet led by the opposition, includes all who worked with Mr Saleh and “applies to all acts committed before it is issued”, state news agency Saba reported.
Activists say that the country’s Revolutionary Guards, run by Mr Saleh’s son, were behind the majority of attacks on anti-government protesters.
Those angry with the deal have taken to the streets in recent weeks, demanding the leader and his relatives are put on trial.
