Geneva – SAM for Rights and Liberties said that the statement issued by the Houthi-run Ministry of Interior regarding what it described as the “discovery of an American-Israeli-Saudi espionage network” raises serious concern, considering such recurrent and ready-made accusations as a new pretext for a wave of violations targeting public rights and freedoms in areas under the group’s control, and as a justification for acts of repression, arbitrary arrest, and enforced disappearance against opponents, activists, and civilians.

The organization pointed out that the group has consistently used charges of “espionage” and “collaboration with foreign parties” as a political tool to justify systematic violations, silence critical voices, and provide a “legal” cover for arrest campaigns and show trials that lack the most basic standards of justice and fairness.

It noted that such statements contribute to poisoning the public sphere and spreading fear among society, while strengthening the grip of security agencies over citizens’ lives, movements, and communications under the pretext of protecting national security, effectively turning society into an environment governed by fear and constant surveillance.

SAM warned of the alarming timing of the statement, especially as it came after a recent judicial reshuffle through which the group admitted more than thirty individuals into the judiciary without meeting the required legal and professional criteria — a move that signals a wave of pre-planned political trials aimed at eliminating opponents and entrenching de facto authority.

The organization stressed that the continuation of these practices undermines what remains of the justice system in Yemen and exacerbates the suffering of civilians living in an environment marked by repression, lack of legal safety, and the absence of guarantees for fair trial standards.

SAM affirmed the need for the international community — led by the United Nations and the Human Rights Council — to take urgent action to exert serious pressure on the Houthi group to halt these violations, ensure the release of all arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared persons, and safeguard the independence of the judiciary from politicization and security interference.

The organization called on relevant international bodies to closely monitor the human rights situation, and to take practical measures to protect civilians and prevent the exploitation of unsubstantiated accusations to justify repressive measures that violate international humanitarian law and human rights principles.