Geneva - SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties stated that the actions of the Houthi militia authority towards activist Sahar al-Kholani and her family members constitute a form of collective punishment that violates the Yemeni constitution and international laws. The Houthi group must release her immediately and unconditionally.

On Tuesday, January 28, elements of the security and intelligence apparatus arrested Sahar’s sister from her home in the Shu'ub district, as well as her mother and her children, Kayan (9 years old) and Abdul Hamid (5 years old), in a series of arbitrary arrests that violate the law.

According to a private source who spoke to "SAM," Suhaib Abdul Hamid al-Maqalih, the activist's husband, was arrested on fabricated charges related to slander and defamation. It was also reported that her brother, Taha Abdul-Ilah Ahmed Al-Kholani, had been arrested on September 10 because of his objection to Sahar’s arrest and was later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department and then to the prosecution.

The source informed SAM organization that Sahar Al-Kholani was subjected to restrictions during the investigations and was denied her right to have a lawyer present to defend her, claiming that the victim requested this, in a clear violation of her right to a fair trial, The source also added that the prosecution had decided to release her and her husband, but the group's authorities opposed the release decision and are obstructing it.

"SAM" confirmed that the arrest of activist Al-Kholani and her family members is a clear violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under international laws and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, expressing its deep concern about the continued detention of the activist and her subjection to severe pressures related to the guarantees required for her release.

The organization demanded that the Sana'a authorities immediately and unconditionally release Sahar al-Kholani and all her family members, enabling her to have a fair trial with a guarantee of her right to defend herself in the presence of a lawyer. In addition, the organization calls for providing full protection for the activist's family members and ensuring that they are not subjected to any future harassment. The organization also calls on the Houthi group to stop using arbitrary arrests as a means to silence voices and suppress human rights.

SAM organization urged the international community and international human rights organizations to intervene urgently to pressure the Sana'a authorities to release the activist and her family and hold accountable those responsible for these practices that violate basic human rights.