Geneva – SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties strongly condemns the heinous murder of Dr. Wafa Al-Makhlafi, which took place in the capital, Sana’a. The organization considers it a grave crime that violates the right to life and human dignity, and exposes the continuing state of lawlessness and complicity of the de facto authorities in protecting the perpetrators.
According to information documented by SAM, Dr. Wafa was killed on Thursday evening while returning from a family visit in the Shamlan area. An armed gang attempted to intercept her vehicle in the Al-Nahda neighborhood. When she refused to stop and continued driving, the assailants pursued her until she reached the Ministry of Information Street, where they opened fire, fatally shooting her multiple times.
While witnesses and relatives of the victim confirmed that the crime occurred on Thursday, the Houthi-controlled Ministry of Interior issued a contradictory statement claiming the incident took place on Friday and announced the arrest of the perpetrators. According to human rights observers, this inconsistency raises serious doubts about the integrity of the investigation and the possible concealment of key facts surrounding the case.
Lawyer Qutaish, quoted by local media, stated that “the main suspect in the killing of Dr. Wafa Al-Makhlafi is a soldier in the Emergency Police named Mohammed Jibran Sweid Al-Qaisi, who has a criminal record of highway robbery and banditry.” He added that the case goes beyond a mere criminal act, reflecting the broader failure of the security and judicial systems in the Houthi-controlled capital.
SAM believes this crime is a direct result of widespread impunity and the breakdown of law and order that have become defining features of areas under Houthi control, where murders and assaults occur with no accountability or deterrence. The organization stresses that the de facto authorities bear full responsibility for protecting civilians, including women working in the medical field, who face growing risks amid the absence of law and the proliferation of armed groups.
SAM further warns that attempts to justify the crime or downplay its severity through vague official statements amount to explicit complicity with the perpetrators and a further violation of the victim’s and her family’s right to truth and justice.
Accordingly, SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties calls for:
An urgent, impartial, and independent investigation into the murder of Dr. Wafa Al-Makhlafi, under judicial oversight and with the participation of local and international human rights organizations.
Accountability for all those involved, including any security personnel found complicit in or negligent toward the crime.
An end to interference by Houthi security agencies in judicial affairs and the guarantee of prosecutorial independence.
Immediate protection measures for women working in civilian, medical, and media professions, who face systematic threats.
The inclusion of this case in the periodic reports of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen.
SAM affirms that it is following the case closely as part of the SPARK Project (Supporting Peace in Yemen through Accountability, Reconciliation, and Knowledge Exchange), and will continue to work with its local and international partners to ensure justice for the victim and her family and to prevent the recurrence of such crimes.