Report Documents 163 Cases of Abduction and Enforced Disappearance by Houthi Militias

A recent report from the Yemeni Women Empowerment Foundation (YWEF) has revealed alarming statistics regarding human rights violations in Yemen. The report documents 163 cases of abduction, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearance perpetrated by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia since 2014. The victims include employees from the United Nations, various international and local organizations, as well as diplomats and embassy staff.

Victims Are Not Parties to the Conflict

The report, which was shared with the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), emphasizes that the victims were not involved in the conflict. Instead, they were humanitarian and diplomatic workers, including personnel from UN agencies, relief organizations, and civil society groups. The report also highlights that journalists and foreign nationals were targeted due to their professional activities.

Systematic Policy of Intimidation

The report indicates that these violations form part of a systematic policy executed by the Houthi militia. This strategy aims to intimidate the international community, extort humanitarian organizations, and silence anyone operating outside their control. The militia seeks to establish complete dominance over humanitarian and diplomatic activities in the areas under its control.

Severe Impact on Humanitarian Efforts

The report outlines the detrimental effects of targeting humanitarian workers, which has caused significant harm to civilians and institutions alike. Key consequences include:

• Undermining relief programs.
• Disrupting humanitarian operations.
• Reducing the presence of several international organizations, at a time when millions of Yemenis rely on life-saving assistance.

Calls for Accountability and Immediate Release

The Yemeni Women Empowerment Foundation has urged the United Nations, member states, the Human Rights Council, and all relevant international mechanisms to take urgent action. They demand the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained individuals, the disclosure of the fate of the forcibly disappeared, and the assurance that those responsible for these violations will not escape accountability.

The foundation asserts that protecting humanitarian work begins with holding accountable those who target its workers. They warn that the continuation of such practices poses a direct threat to international efforts aimed at alleviating human suffering in Yemen.

For more details, visit the original report here.

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