OHCHR also documented restrictions impacting engagement between United Nations and civil society organizations by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor of the Government of Yemen. On 13 July 2023, the Ministry issued Circular No. 51846 addressed to the United Nations Resident Representative and Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator in Yemen and the regional directors of branches of foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Yemen. The Circular instructed that any “dealings” with local civil society organizations should be ceased unless processed through the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor. The Circular added that any agreements or memorandums of understanding between the United Nations and civil society organizations required prior permission and approval from the Ministry as well as the activities or projects of civil society funded or commissioned by foreign organizations. OHCHR documented similar restrictions by the Supreme Council for Management and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and International Cooperation.

During the reporting period, OHCHR also documented that the National Southern Media Authority (NSMA) issued a directive on 13 December 2023, that instructed the owners of hotels and halls in Aden Governorate not to hold events in their premises unless the organizers had obtained prior written approval from the NSMA. 47 According to information received by OHCHR, during the reporting period, United Nations entities and civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, reported having faced challenges obtaining approval to hold events in Aden, including human rights-related workshops.48 On 28 March 2024, the NSMA issued an amendment to its directive that instructed entities seeking to hold conferences, events, and workshops in hotels to obtain licences for their activities from the Aden Office of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation.