WJWC Statement on 10th Anniversary of Leader Qahtan’s Disappearance

Today marks ten painful years since the Houthi militia forcibly abducted the prominent Yemeni politician Mohammed Qahtan from his home in Sana’a, subjecting him to enforced disappearance in an undisclosed location.

Since that dark day in 2015, his family and loved ones have been left in the shadows, denied any knowledge of his fate. This act represents a grave violation of Yemen’s national laws and a direct affront to international conventions that criminalize enforced disappearance. 

Mohammed Qahtan is not a man of war, but a man of words. A prominent leader of the Islah Party, he was known for his steadfast dedication to peaceful dialogue and civil engagement. As a leading voice during the February 2011 Revolution, he championed the cause of a civil state under the banner “No to violence, yes to a state of citizenship and law.” For this conviction—for choosing the pen over the sword—he has paid a cruel price: ten years in disappearance.

The case of Mohammed Qahtan stands today as a symbol of the deterioration of rights and freedoms in Yemen. In today’s Yemen, voicing an opinion has become a charge, and advocating for a civil, democratic future has become a punishable act. Enforced disappearance, in this context, is not just a tactic—it is a political weapon, used to extinguish dissent and silence visionaries.

At Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC), we are not speaking merely about an individual’s fate—we are speaking about the silencing of a national conscience. We are witnessing an ongoing crime that should shock the world’s moral core. We reject the transformation of a person’s suffering into a political bargaining chip. It is an affront to human dignity and a perpetuation of impunity.

We affirm unequivocally: Mohammed Qahtan’s release is not a favor. It is not a subject for negotiation. It is a humanitarian and legal imperative. A decade of forced disappearance is a decade of collective pain, and it places undeniable moral responsibility on the international community for its failure to uphold fundamental human rights.

Freedom is not a slogan—it is a right. Enforced disappearance is not a political tool—it is a crime. Qahtan is not just a politician—he is a symbol of Yemen’s peaceful struggle and a mirror of our nation’s yearning for justice.

Based on the above, Women Journalists Without Chains urgently calls for the following:

·         Immediate and unconditional release of Mohammed Qahtan, with full disclosure of his fate and whereabouts.

·         Full accountability of the Houthi militia for his safety, and an end to the use of enforced disappearances against politicians and activists.

·         Serious action by the United Nations and its envoys, along with the broader international community, to implement Security Council Resolution 2216 and ensure Mohammed Qahtan’s case remains a priority in any negotiation process.

·         Active engagement by media, human rights groups, and political parties to raise awareness of enforced disappearance as a grave human rights violation that cannot be normalized or ignored.

·         National recognition of Mohammed Qahtan’s legacy, through public events, media productions, and educational initiatives that preserve his story as part of Yemen’s struggle for a just and civil future.

Ten years have passed in silence, but we will not remain silent. The truth about Mohammed Qahtan must come to light. Justice must prevail.

Released by:

Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC)

April 5, 2025