You might have thought that government ministers in Yemen had more pressing things to worry about, but yesterday's cabinet meeting approved a new draft law concerning the national flag:

"The law, which consists of 18 articles, defines the status and specifications of the national flag and its greeting, as well as the places and times of events to raise the national flag.

"In addition ... the law identifies the prohibitions of the national flag use and penalties for anybody [who] harms the flag in any way or violates its specifications in the manufacturing, printing, design, publication, raising, or using it as a trademark or to advertise for commercial purposes or other actions that may be meant to contempt the flag."

Presumably the aim is to criminalise separatists in the south who insist on "defacing" the flag with a blue triangle and red star and waving it at their demonstrations.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 7 April 2010.