Prime Minister Mohammed Salem Basindwa on Monday said that the government gives the protection of human rights and respect for public freedoms a top priority. During his meeting with Human Rights Watch\'s (HRW) deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa Joe Stork, Basindwa said that the government considers the protection and promotion of these rights are the basis for building a new Yemen. He indicated to the actions taken by the government to enhance and protect human rights, topped by starting practical steps to establish an independent national authority for human rights, expressing appreciation for the role the organization plays in defending human rights. HRW official voiced the organization\'s interest in the situation in Yemen, particularly in the human rights field. Stork briefed the Premier on the organization\'s activities through its office in the country, including monitoring the situation of the prisoners and the freedom of expression and the press as well, praising the Yemeni government\'s cooperation with the organization.