Introduction

1. The human being

2. The state

3. The economy

4. Defence and security

5. Foreign policy

CHAPTER TWO: THE STATE

Allah says:

"We sent afore time our messengers with Clear Signs and sent down with them the book and Balance (of Right and Wrong), that men may stand forth in justice; and We sent down Iron, in which is a (material for) mighty war, as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test who it is that will help, Unseen, Him and His messengers; for Allah is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might (and able to enforce His Will)". al-Hadid 57:25

Allah also said:

"(They are) those who, if we establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the right and forbid the wrong: With Allah rest the end (and decision) of (all) affairs" al-Hajj (22:41)

Allah also says:

"The House of the Hereafter We shall give to those who intend not high-handedness or mischief on earth: and the End is (best) for the righteous" al-Qasas (28:83)

Allah also says:

"Allah does command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; and when you judge between man and man, that you judge with justice; verily how excellent is the teaching which He gives you! For Allah is He Who hears and sees all things". An-Nisa (4:58)

The state is a social necessity and a lawful mean. Its aim is the safeguarding of religion, extending justice and caring for the rights of citisens. Its authority is a social duty and a responsible succession carried by all, for every individual shares in its responsibility and is accountable for it as it is the most important tool. for developing social achievement in the service of the common objectives and supporting society's human and civilisational standing within the international community. Its political and legal systems are the embodiment of the values of truth, liberty, justice and shura which guarantees human rights and preserves the honor of the individual, also the authority of society is established out of which emanates the will of the people in the shape of government run by entrusted representatives from amongst the people. These representatives are to run the state according to the established principles and basis that achieve general consensus, and to them is loyalty and obedience as long as they adhere, follow and uphold these established principles and basis.

A state that facilitates the best form guaranteeing the achievement of the best picture of solidarity of society and the interaction of its members with its institutions. This because, in this form, it is nothing more than an extension and an expression of themselves and an organisation of their will, ant an isolated, or an opposing, entity. A state that practices a medium role achieving the interest of the individual and community and safeguards balance in society and the state.

The YIP shall work to achieve the following:

1. Ensuring the supremacy of the Islamic Shari'ah as the basis for the supremacy of law. Accepting shura and popular free choice as the principle for the legitimacy of authority and its acceptance.

2. Building the state institutionally, making its institutions independent from the personalities of the changing rulers who come and go.

3. Entrenching political pluralism which adheres to the unchangeable religious and national principles and guaranteeing the peaceful change of authority.

4. Opposing the paternalistic state and its comprehensive role and its monopoly of all means of power, source of lively hood, media of culture and knowledge. Adopting all means that can ensure the strengthening of the institutions of society and widening their role as well as opening-up opportunities for private initiatives in all areas of life and arenas of human activity. Reducing the role of the state to areas of activities which individuals and groups cannot undertake.

THE POLITICAL SYSTEM

Our programme seeks the establishment of a political system that guarantees the realisation of the principle God's honor of the human being ... And protects his rights and freedoms and channels the efforts to the building of the institutions of governance - in a way that lends it effectiveness and honesty. Such a system should guarantee impartiality and freedom of the election process and good monitoring of the elected, during their term of tenure, relying upon constitutional basis that controls the conduct of government and guarantees its soundness, and the peaceful transfer of power. This is done on the following basis.

First: Supremacy of Law

The legal system in our Yemeni society is derived from Islam, as a law that has been rooted and settled in its conscience, which has become the sole basis for legitimacy and accepted measure for the legality stemming from it.

The principle of supremacy of law is a fundamental objective we seek to realise and entrench. We shall work to achieve a number of tasks that guarantee the reinforcement and embodiment of this principle in practice. These include the following:

1. Ensuring that all legislation is drafted in accordance with Islamic Shari'ah and its general purpose, so that every member of society becomes keen on implementing the law and guarding it.

2. Establishing the authority of the judiciary and its independence.

3. Guaranteeing the submission of the authorities of the state to the law, its adherence to it and considering all actions that contradict the constitution and the law as invalid and must be questioned.

Secondly: Political Pluralism

Political pluralism represents the firm foundation for rotation and safe transfer of authority between organised political groups. It is also the most effective mean of maturing political awareness in society, strengthening it and reinforcing its immunity in order to prevent dictatorship, protection of rights, sanctity and liberty of individuals.

It also represent the most appropriate contexts which provides for the inclusion of opposition. Lending its legitimacy to work through democratic shura means and provides it with the opportunity to get to government, or participate in it, as long as its programme gains the trust of the majority of the people.

The success and soundness of the political system which is established on multi-parties depends on four main issues:

1. Adherence of political parties and organisations to Islam as faith and law (Shari'ah), and the start from a unified view of the shared, unchangeable, national and faith principles as well as the areas of consensus, on which disagreement is not accepted.

2. The political parties abilities on undertaking the responsibility of political work and linking themselves to society and its constant (unchangeable) principles -and not the authority or centers of influence. As well as its ability to attract individuals and their motivation to take part in political work rather than the adoption of a neutral stance or laissez-faire approach.

3. Differentiation between political parties by individuals, is based on clear and responsible programmes that abide by society's affairs, with all the necessary detailed views that this entails in order to face the existing problems as well as the methods of achieving the aspiration of society. On this basis it can be made clear for the individual to make an formal choice, as to which party deserves the support and can be trusted.

4. The existence of a complete election system based on the latest techniques, and one that works away from influence of competing political parties, whether in government or opposition. A system that can work with complete impartiality, pro duce the result and the preference of society.

Based on this, the YIP will work resolutely and consistently towards the following:

1. Consolidation of the principle of political pluralism, and transforming it to be one of the deep-rooted facts in Yemeni Society. Opposing any tendency from whichever quarter, to return Yemeni society to singular political opinions which leads to dictatorship that relies on the army and security forces to subjugate society to its desires and wishes.

2. Guaranteeing the establishment of political pluralism on the basis of noble competitive views within the framework of adherence to the faith of society and Shari'ah, so that it becomes possible for all members of society to exercise preference between political parties according to its programmes without being influenced by any other factors.

3. Guaranteeing the running of general elections regularly and according to time specified by constitution through an election system that is impartial and through which the people will be able to exercise this say on the conduct of affairs according to its wishes, whether directly or indirectly.

4. Guaranteeing equality of opportunity in political work, entrenching it and embodying it in practice.

Thirdly: Political Pluralism

Peaceful rotation of authority is the essence of shura and democracy and the best process for overcoming conflict over authority - on all levels.

The political system will not be democratic (shuratic) unless it includes the mechanism which allows the political group which enjoys the support of the majority of the people to assume power, in order to implement the programme it promotes, through regular polls that everyone accepts as the ultimate arbiter. For society alone is the judge which gives preference to one programme over the other.

To embody this principle, work has to be under taken to provide a number of guarantees. The most important amongst which is the following.

1. Ensuring the neutrality of the military, security and judicial establishments in party- politics, by considering this as the most important requirement for a multi-party- based political system and what it entails for the peaceful transfer of power during time- expired periods.

2. Ring-fencing authority with guarantees that will safeguard it against misuse, by those in power, and to dedicate it for the achievement of the objectives of society.

3. Deep-rooting political pluralism in society and establishing it on solid ground represented on faith and national constants that makes pluralism a way to complementarily, co-operation and consolidation.

4. Deep-rooting the administrative and legal system in the state, and making it subject to criterions and basis that do not get affected by the peaceful change in authority, which should be limited to the higher political levels.

5. Sound political nurturing of members of society to grow accepting the results of elections and the peaceful transfer of power.

Continued ...