Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) has issued an urgent warning over the alarming rise in human rights violations committed by the Houthi militia in areas under its control.

The latest wave of repression, marked by arbitrary mass abductions, signals a dangerous escalation that threatens the basic freedoms and safety of civilians — particularly the most vulnerable segments of Yemeni society.

 Over recent days, dozens of citizens — including workers, street vendors, and humanitarian aid recipients — have been forcibly detained in widespread security campaigns across al-Hodaidah, Sa’dah, and Sana’a governorates. Field reports collected by WJWC indicate that at least 163 individuals have been abducted, often under vague or baseless accusations such as espionage and “collaboration with foreign entities.”

 In Sa’dah Governorate, the situation is especially grave. Nearly 90 civilians, many of them laborers from other regions such as Raymah, Taiz, and Ibb, were apprehended in public markets. On April 9, 2025, the militia launched a massive raid campaign in several districts of Sa’dah City, citing the pursuit of “intelligence cells.” Security forces stormed homes, searched apartments and shops, and confiscated mobile phones — including those of women and children — in clear violation of the right to privacy and the sanctity of the home.

 In al-Hodaidah Governorate, approximately 50 civilians were detained after receiving humanitarian aid from a local businessman. The Houthi group accused them of espionage, reinforcing concerns that even the delivery and receipt of humanitarian assistance is now criminalized in a deeply repressive climate.

 Meanwhile, in Sana’a, at least 23 individuals were reportedly abducted from public spaces while using mobile phones. These arrests took place without legal warrants or due process, representing a direct assault on personal freedoms and the presumption of innocence.

 WJWC stresses that these arbitrary detentions form part of a broader and systematic policy aimed at silencing dissent, instilling fear, and crushing any semblance of independent civil activity. The use of fabricated national security charges — particularly allegations of foreign collaboration — has become a common tool employed by the Houthi militia to justify repression and erode civic space.

 Equally troubling is the pattern of targeting low-income individuals and marginalized communities, who often lack access to legal defense or public support. This deliberate focus reveals a broader strategy of domination and control, using intimidation and fear to enforce obedience and prevent grassroots mobilization.

 The organization also voiced deep concern over the fate of the abductees, given the Houthi militia’s long-standing record of serious abuses in detention, including torture, enforced disappearance, denial of medical care, and inhumane conditions. These violations have, in many documented cases, resulted in custodial deaths under suspicious circumstances — a trend that continues with impunity.

 WJWC strongly condemned these practices, describing them as grave breaches of international law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, under which widespread or systematic abductions and abuse may constitute crimes against humanity.

 Urgent Demands and Recommendations

In light of the above, WJWC calls for immediate action by both national and international actors to halt the Houthi militia’s ongoing campaign of repression. Specifically, the organization demands:

·         The immediate and unconditional release of all civilians detained in al-Hodaidah, Sa’dah, Sana’a, and other affected areas.

·         The launch of an independent international investigation into the reported incidents of kidnapping, torture, and enforced disappearance.

·         Legal accountability for perpetrators and those complicit in these human rights violations.

·    The active involvement of the United Nations, relevant international human rights bodies, and legal mechanisms to monitor detention conditions and ensure protections for at-risk populations.

WJWC warns that the continued deterioration of human rights in Yemen — particularly in Houthi-controlled areas — poses a serious threat to regional stability and the long-term prospects for peace and justice.

Women Journalists Without Chains concludes by reiterating that impunity cannot be tolerated. The international community bears a legal and moral obligation to act swiftly and decisively to prevent further abuses, protect civilian lives, and uphold the universal principles of human dignity and justice.

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Women Journalists Without Chains

April 10, 2025