The Ministry of Human Rights states that celebrating International Human Rights Day is meaningless amid Houthi militia crimes and violations.
Human Rights Ministry Criticizes Celebration of Human Rights Day Amid Ongoing Abuses
The Ministry of Human Rights has stated that celebrating International Human Rights Day on December 10 holds little significance while thousands remain forcibly detained by the Iran-backed Houthi militia.
Call for Stronger Action from the UN
In a statement released on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the Ministry expressed its long-standing demand for decisive action from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The Ministry highlighted the continuous violations and crimes committed by the Houthi militia, which extend beyond the Yemeni population to affect international organizations. Notably, the militia has kidnapped eight local employees of the OHCHR and forcibly disappeared them. Additionally, they stormed the OHCHR office in Sana’a, seizing documents and data.
Weak Response from the OHCHR
Despite these blatant assaults, the Ministry lamented the weak and ineffective response from the OHCHR. The language used by the organization fails to match the severity of the crimes and violations occurring. This lack of a strong stance has seemingly encouraged the Houthi militia to persist in their criminal activities.
Detained Individuals Include Civil Society Activists
The Ministry further emphasized that the forcibly detained individuals include civil society activists, human rights defenders, and journalists. Among them are 72 local employees working for international organizations, including eight who serve the OHCHR. The Ministry criticized the OHCHR for not taking adequate steps to address the severity of the situation and called for intensified efforts to secure the release of these detainees.
Urgent Need for International Pressure
The Ministry underscored the importance of the OHCHR providing a clear and truthful account of the crimes and violations perpetrated by the Houthi militia to the international community. It urged the organization to classify the militia as a terrorist group, which would facilitate legal actions and create real international pressure to halt these abuses.
In conclusion, as the world observes Human Rights Day, the Ministry of Human Rights calls for urgent action to address the ongoing violations in Yemen, highlighting the plight of those unjustly detained and the need for a robust international response.
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