Taiz Security Committee denies issuing directives to suppress teachers’ protests, affirms respect for freedom of expression

The Security Committee in Taiz Governorate denied the veracity of what was circulated on some social media pages regarding the issuance of directives by the governor of the governorate to the General Police Department to suppress and prevent peaceful protests by teachers, and the refusal of the Director General of Police to implement them, considering this a "slander" against the leadership of the local authority and the security services.

The committee confirmed in a statement issued today, Friday, that the governor of the province, Mr. Nabil Shamsan, in his capacity as head of the local authority and head of the security committee, his directives and decisions are binding and cannot be rejected by any party, including the General Police Administration.

She pointed out that the local authority leadership appreciates the suffering faced by teachers and understands their legitimate demands, stressing that it is making continuous efforts with various parties to find appropriate solutions to those demands.

She also stressed that the governorate police had provided the necessary protection for the weekly demonstrations during the past period, based on its duty to protect public security and freedom of opinion and expression, as these are rights guaranteed to citizens.

In a related context, the statement explained that the Security Committee approved, during its meeting held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, the implementation of the law regulating demonstrations and protests, in light of the exceptional situation that the country and Taiz Governorate in particular are going through, noting that the governorate police will later issue a detailed circular in this regard.

The Security Committee called on all parties, components and individuals to respect its decisions and cooperate with the security services in a way that serves the public interest and preserves security, public order and property, stressing its commitment to protecting rights and freedoms and implementing the law.