Geneva – SAM for Rights and Liberties expressed its deep concern over the escalating violations committed against Yemeni civilians in secret prisons in general, and particularly in the secret prisons on the western coast of the country. SAM emphasized that the ongoing unjustified international silence regarding these violations encourages various parties to the conflict to continue infringing on the rights of innocent people. The organization called for real and swift action to end the issue of secret prisons, which involve numerous violations against civilians.

SAM stated in a press release on Monday that Yemen has suffered many severe violations of basic rights for hundreds of thousands of Yemenis since the start of the war in 2011, committed by Houthi forces and the "Arab coalition." However, the most dangerous development has been the establishment of dozens of secret prisons managed and funded by Emirati forces, which deliberately hide thousands of Yemenis, including political opponents, activists, and even civilians, without charges or judicial proceedings. SAM also noted that there are no exact numbers of these prisons due to their widespread presence and the difficulty in locating them, but it has documented several of these prisons in regions such as Al-Mahra, Seiyun and Al-Mukalla in Hadramout, Azan in Shabwa, and prisons in Abyan, Lahj, the western coast, Mocha, and Al-Khawkhah.

In its statement, SAM presented testimonies of individuals who were tortured and detained in secret prisons on the western coast, particularly in Al-Khawkhah, an area under the control of the Ninth Brigade led by Yahya Al-Wahsh, funded by the UAE, who is accused of committing serious extrajudicial violations.

Abdullah Al-Ash’ari, 35, testified to SAM's monitoring team about his abduction and torture in a secret prison controlled by the Ninth Brigade, stating: "The security director, Najib Warraq, called me and summoned me to Yahya Al-Wahsh's residence. When I arrived, Warraq asked me to drop the cases I had filed against the brigade for previous assaults by him and his forces. Yahya Al-Wahsh denied the accusations, but I confirmed to those present that I had solid evidence proving my claims. I refused to drop the cases, after which Yahya indirectly threatened me. When I returned home, around 70 soldiers were sent to my house, they shot at the cameras, and then they kidnapped me after threatening everyone inside the house. They took me to Al-Wahsh's camp west of Al-Khawkhah by the sea. On the way, they confiscated my phone and assaulted me. Upon arrival, they put me in a container prison in the camp, where there were six other detainees. After about ten minutes, they moved me to a dark solitary cell for about an hour. Then I was moved to a military vehicle, blindfolded with a turban, though a small part allowed me to see. We stopped on the way, and I saw Yahya Al-Wahsh getting into the vehicle. I was taken to a corner of the camp, where I was beaten until the blindfold fell off, revealing many soldiers surrounding me. They blindfolded me again, and I heard Al-Wahsh say, 'Leave him to me.' He beat me in the back and stomach, and after he was done, several soldiers continued beating me until I lost consciousness. I woke up when they splashed cold water on me, only to be beaten again until I collapsed and was returned to the solitary cell. I remained there until a car arrived with Najib Warraq, the security director, and Ahmad Musa, the governor's aide. They carried me to the car, then took me to a clinic where I am still receiving care in a private room. After the treatment, the doctor told me, 'I will give you a complete report,'" Al-Ash’ari said.

Medical reports obtained by SAM regarding Al-Ash’ari's condition show severe harm, with the medical report stating: "A.A. arrived unconscious and bleeding from his mouth and nose. We tried to revive him, but he only responded after four hours due to the severity of his injuries." The report detailed various injuries across his body, including bruises, scratches, lacerations, and nasal fractures, as well as the dislocation of some ribs. It was decided that he would remain in the hospital due to the severity of his injuries.

Tawfiq Al-Humaidi, head of SAM, stated that "the actions by UAE-backed military leaders in secret prisons funded by the UAE indicate severe violations of the basic principles of international law, which prohibits attacks on human dignity, enforced disappearances, and detention without judicial orders." He emphasized that international silence has indirectly provided a cover for such parties to escalate their violations.

Al-Humaidi added, "These forces and those who support them bear full criminal responsibility for their actions, which amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity." He called on UN bodies to play a serious role in protecting Yemeni civilians from these violations.

Another witness, M.R., told SAM’s monitoring team: "On May 18, 2020, Yahya Al-Wahsh asked me to testify in a case I knew nothing about. When I refused, he said, 'You are my opponent,' in the presence of some leaders. The next day, armed men loyal to Yahya Al-Wahsh came to the qat market in Al-Khawkhah and asked me to get into a military vehicle, saying Al-Wahsh wanted to speak with me. They took me to Al-Wahsh's house, then moved me to an ambulance that went directly to Al-Wahsh's farm, which I later learned was a secret prison. When we arrived, I saw Yahya Al-Wahsh, who asked if I would testify or be put in 'Al-Daghatta' — a two-by-two-meter room. When I refused, they put me in that room from three in the afternoon until four in the morning, where I was subjected to all forms of torture and humiliation. After that, they moved me to the security department of Al-Khawkhah, which is controlled by Al-Wahsh, not the state. They interrogated me without any judicial arrest warrant or complaint, and then released me on the condition that I not speak about Al-Wahsh or what I had endured. I was forced to sign a commitment to that effect before being freed," M.R. recounted.

SAM, in its concluding statement, stressed the necessity for the international community, especially the General Assembly and the Security Council, to assume their responsibilities in protecting the rights of Yemeni civilians. SAM called for sending investigation and fact-finding committees to monitor secret prisons, ensure their closure, and bring perpetrators of violations against Yemenis to justice. The organization also urged the international community to work seriously to end the ongoing war in Yemen and to establish a roadmap that ensures democracy and justice for Yemeni citizens without any conditions or restrictions.