The Yemeni network reports over 22,000 violations committed by Houthi militia since December 2014.

Over 22,000 Cases of Human Rights Violations Documented in Yemen

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms has reported over 22,165 cases of arbitrary detention, abduction, enforced disappearance, and psychological and physical torture committed by the Houthi militia. This alarming data spans from December 21, 2014, to August 1, 2026, as detailed in their recent report titled “Houthi Prisons: From Repression to Political Extortion.”

Current Status of Detained Individuals

The report highlights that 5,326 civilians remain imprisoned by the militia. Among those detained are politicians, activists, journalists, children, women, educators, academics, judges, doctors, as well as foreign nationals and African refugees. Notably, 54 employees affiliated with the United Nations and international organizations are also among the detainees.

Enforced Disappearances and Torture Cases

The network documented 2,678 cases of enforced disappearance, including 158 women and 137 children. The report emphasizes that enforced disappearance constitutes a dual crime, affecting both the victim and their families, who endure years of anxiety without knowledge of their loved ones’ fates. Additionally, the report recorded 1,937 instances of physical and psychological torture and 476 cases of torture leading to death, which include children, women, the elderly, and a UN employee. Tragically, 166 detainees have died in custody, with 56 succumbing to extrajudicial killings, 79 due to medical negligence, and 31 from heart attacks.

Systematic Violations and Regional Breakdown

The report indicates that 218 detainees have sustained permanent disabilities and chronic illnesses as a result of torture. These violations are not isolated incidents; they reflect a systematic pattern for which militia leaders bear responsibility. The capital city, Sana’a, recorded the highest number of torture cases at 518, followed by 456 in Sana’a, and additional cases in Hajjah, Ibb, Al Hudaydah, and Taiz. The network also reported the deaths of 28 detainees in the City of Al-Salih prison in Al-Houban.

The Extent of Houthi-Controlled Prisons

The report reveals that the Houthi militia operates 778 prisons in areas under its control. This includes 368 official prisons that the militia has seized and 273 secret facilities located in basements, military sites, government institutions, and civilian buildings. The network asserts that the militia has transformed these detention centers into tools for repression and political extortion, conducting arrests outside legal frameworks and extracting confessions through torture, while families remain uninformed about the fates of their loved ones.

Call for Action

The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms has reiterated its call to halt these crimes. They stress that the release of detainees, the disclosure of the fates of the disappeared, and accountability for those responsible are legal and humanitarian obligations that should not be subject to negotiation. The network emphasizes that detainees are not mere political pawns; they are individuals entitled to freedom, dignity, and justice.

For more information, visit the full report on the Yemen TV website.

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