Yemeni Nobel Laureate calls for former President to be tried for his crimes

   Yemeni Nobel laureate Tawakul Karman has asked that the International Criminal Court investigate the violence used during the reign of President Saleh. In the deal brokered by the GCC that Saleh signed he, his family and aides will be granted immunity for any actions during the crackdown on protests. Many protesters were killed and wounded in attacks by security forces.
   However even Karman noted that her request stood little chance of success since Yemen has not signed on to the founding treaty called the Rome statute. The U.S. has not signed the treaty either.
   Only if the UN requested the court prosecutor to launch an investigation could he do so. Karman says there should be an easier way to hold those killing their own people to account by bringing them to the court. She herself has given the court a file of alleged crimes committed by the Saleh government.
   A new prime  minister has been appointed by acting vice-president Mansour Hadi. He Mohammed Basindwa. The transition of power applauded by the U.S. and others has not stopped the violence.
   Protests continue as does the violence. Shia Muslim forces attacked Sunni Islamist fighters in the  north. In the northwestern city of Saada Shia Muslims protested the GCC deal and demanded that Saleh be tried for his crimes. Yemen is a long way from any peaceful transition. In fact the old guard remain in power but are still being challenged by a number of groups. For more see this article.