A/HRC/21/37 implementation was slower than expected. The delegation received reports that few had been given contracts from the municipalities or local councils, and that some had been threatened in connection with the strikes and lost their employment. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs expressed surprise at the allegations and informed the delegation that it had not been alerted by union leaders of any threats or dismissals.13 51. The difficulties faced by adults of the marginalized community were compounded by the perception that the community was being excluded from the broader political transition and that none of its members was part of the committees set up to prepare the national dialogue. The delegation received information that various groups that could qualify as ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities were attempting to form a coalition to have their rights taken into account during the transition and recognized in the new Constitution. 52. According to data provided by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Yemen currently hosts more than 215,000 refugees.14 The delegation was informed that, while the Government of Yemen recognized Somalis as prima facie refugees, other nationalities, particularly Eritreans arriving at the Hudaydah harbour, were immediately arrested on arrival on the coasts and held in the custody of Political Security for investigation. At the end of the period under review, 280 Eritreans were being detained in Hudaydah Central Prison, reportedly in inhuman conditions and with no information regarding their release or relocation. 53. The delegation was also alerted to the fact that a network of smugglers, reportedly composed of Yemenis, including tribal leaders and Yemeni officials, and nationals of neighbouring countries, was holding migrants (including refugees), forcing them to make additional payments and subjecting them to such gross human rights violations as torture, sexual violence and slavery. 54. In Yemen, more than half a million people have been internally displaced owing to violence and insecurity.15 In the north, insecurity is hindering the large-scale return of displaced persons, and continues to limit humanitarian access, while intermittent tribal clashes continue to cause new displacement. In the south, the conflict for control of the governorate of Abyan resulted in displacement to the surrounding areas, including Aden, Lahij and inside the governorate. Most internally displaced persons live with host families, in informal settlements or in schools.16 The vast majority of the displaced persons expressed their intention to return, although the ongoing insecurity in their areas of origin and the presence of unexploded ammunition hinders any large-scale return.17 The Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre is currently clearing areas at risk and, in cooperation with UNHCR and UNICEF, conducts awareness-raising sessions for displaced persons and refugees. 55. The displaced families of Muhamasheen communities, especially women, also face a greater risk of discrimination and harassment. Some families are said to marry off their daughters or sisters at an early age as a form of protection. According to humanitarian workers, when incidents occur between displaced members of a Muhamasheen community and locals, the police tend to side with the latter. 13 14 15 16 17 14 See CERD/C/YEM/CO/17-18, para. 15, and E/C.12/YEM/CO/2, paras. 7 – 8. As at 31 May 2012, UNHCR had recorded a total of 51,397 new arrivals along the coasts of Yemen: 41,210 from Ethiopia and 10,187 from Somalia. According to UNHCR, as at 31 May 2012, the total population of internally displaced persons in Yemen came to 527,876: 317,981 in the north and 209,895 in the south. As at June 2012, 20,000 internally displaced persons were living in 60 schools. See “Qaeda mines in Yemen kill more than 70”, AlterNet, 30 June 2012. Available from www.alternet.org/rss/breaking_news/1002449/qaeda_mines_in_yemen__kill_more_than_70/.