A/HRC/42/CRP.1 that migrants have come under increased risk as both sides of the conflict have accused them of collaborating with and being recruited by the other, 1354 which has only increased their vulnerabilities. Lack of access to Yemen significantly impacted the Group’s ability to document and verify allegations of human rights violations occurring against migrants, due to difficulties in reaching and communicating with migrant communities inside the country. (a) Detention of migrants and increased protection risks 836. The Group of Experts gathered reports of increasing numbers of migrants facing arbitrary detention in areas under Government of Yemen control as well as areas under the control of the de facto authorities. The Group investigated allegations of this sort in Aden, Lahij, Abyan, Sana’a and Sa’dah. For those migrants stranded in Sana’a, and northern parts of Yemen, such as Hajjah or Sa’dah, many had reportedly already done the crossing to Saudi Arabia and been returned.1355 Interviewees informed the Group of Experts of poor detention conditions for migrants in both Sana’a and Sa’dah. Some migrants formerly detained in the north reportedly showed signs of ill-treatment, although the Group of Experts had not verified these reports or ascertained their cause by the time of finalization of this report due to lack of access. 1356 Lack of food and capacity to care for migrants was generally cited as contributing to poor detention conditions. 837. In its 2018 report, the Group of Experts found reasonable grounds to believe that Security Belt forces had committed sexual violence including rape primarily against African migrants and refugees in two areas in Aden: the al-Bureiqa migrant detention facility and the Basateen neighbourhood. Although the migrant facility was closed, a new one was opened in 2019, where an estimated 5,000 individuals from Eritrea and Ethiopia were detained between 21 April and 30 May, including men, women, girls and boys. The Group has concerns that similar situations to those in 2018 may have arisen again in the new facility.1357 838. The Group of Experts further documented1358 the detention of 63 Ethiopian migrants (including 37 women) who arrived in al-Shamaytan, a district of Ta’izz governorate on 10 April 2019, followed by 13 Somalis a few days later. All of the new arrivals were taken by the security services in Ta’izz and placed in “detention”, although local authorities informed the Group of Experts that they were not denied their liberty but rather provided with a “place to shelter them”.1359 The local authorities reportedly provided the migrants, who had found themselves in Ta’izz, with food, as well as with access to healthcare for a few who were in a bad health condition on arrival. The authorities issued a call to United Nations agencies to come and collect the migrants, but reportedly did not get a response. Security forces then escorted the entire group out of Ta’izz Governorate, and towards the road to Aden. The Group was not able to obtain further information on their whereabouts. This incident, as with others, raises concerns over the protection mechanisms in place for migrants in Yemen, their access to humanitarian and protection services, and the risks that multiply through their crossing of various parts of Yemen. (b) Arbitrary arrest and detention of refugees by the de facto authorities 839. The Group of Experts investigated three cases of arrests of Somali refugees by the de facto authorities.1360 At least two were involved in a refugee committee they co-founded to support Somalis and other refugees in Yemen. The arrests took place at different times from December 2018. There were reportedly more arrests related to the case. 1361 One of the refugees remained in detention at the time of writing, without charges. He was arrested in 1354 Confidential Sources on File. Confidential Sources on File. 1356 Confidential Sources on File. 1357 For further details on this case, see chapter on Control of Aden and the south (2016-2019). 1358 Confidential Sources on File. 1359 Confidential Sources on File. 1360 Confidential Sources on File. 1361 Confidential Sources on File. 1355 201