Geneva - SAM Organization for Rights and Libraries stated that the Houthi authorities in Sana'a have referred a large number of employees from international and national organizations, who were arbitrarily detained, to the specialized Public Prosecution for terrorism cases, accusing them of collaborating with foreign countries. Among these employees are three from the United Nations, two from UNESCO and one from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, who were arrested in 2021 and 2023.

SAM noted that the Houthi authorities continue to target civil society institutions and their workers amid a local and regional political polarization that seems endless. This behavior is part of the punishment and intimidation exercised by the Houthi group against employees to prevent them from fulfilling their humanitarian and human rights roles, in addition to the group's attempts to nationalize the relief sector for its own benefit.

The organization pointed out that these developments come at a time when Yemen is suffering from severe humanitarian crises, with more than half of the country's population in need of humanitarian assistance. Reports confirm that the Houthis impose unnecessary restrictions on humanitarian organizations, leading to significant delays in delivering essential aid to civilians suffering from acute shortages of food and water.

The organization reported that the group pursues a policy of targeting human rights defenders and activists, starting with incitement against them and pursuing them through arrest and torture, culminating in subjecting them to sham trials lacking the most basic standards of fair and just trials. It emphasized that these violations and arbitrary practices occur amid the fragility of justice institutions and law enforcement in the country.

SAM affirmed that the path taken by the Houthi group is clear, as they use sham trials to settle personal scores, resulting in ready-made death sentences. The organization stressed that these procedures are void and lack legitimacy, contradicting the provisions of the constitution as well as national and international laws. Therefore, any steps based on them cannot be legitimate or justified in any way.

The organization reiterated its demand for the Houthi de facto authorities to immediately and unconditionally release employees and workers from United Nations organizations and national non-governmental agencies who were previously detained. It also called on international organizations to exert serious and responsible pressure on the Houthis, moving away from appeasement strategies that have proven ineffective with a group that believes only in force.