Geneva - SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties said that the measures imposed on the home of the tribal sheikh and parliamentarian Hamir Abdullah al-Ahmar in the Al-Hasaba area north of Sana’a constitute a dangerous escalation in the illegal restrictions imposed by the Houthi group on social and tribal figures, and represent a clear violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under international human rights law.
The organization explained that it had received consistent testimonies stating that Houthi-affiliated elements forced a number of visitors to sign pledges not to visit al-Ahmar. Although most of them refused to sign, their phone numbers and personal data were taken, and they were informed that they would be officially summoned whenever requested, and that they must attend and comply. SAM affirmed that these measures, even though they have not yet resulted in direct material harm, carry a clearly intimidating character, especially with the prevention of some family members, including sons and grandchildren, from visiting him—thereby infringing the right to family life and freedom of communication.
The organization stated that imposing coercive pledges on visitors and collecting their data under the threat of summons constitutes an arbitrary restriction on freedom of movement and peaceful assembly, and is not based on any legal justification or an independent judicial decision. It added that placing a public figure under social and security isolation amounts to a form of undeclared house arrest.
According to what journalist Fares al-Humairi published, the Houthi group appointed one of its supervisors at the main gate of the house to monitor the movement of those entering and leaving, following the withdrawal of the security force that had been surrounding the house since the middle of this month, while keeping two security vehicles in its vicinity. A number of tribal and social figures were also prevented from entering and were turned back at the gate. Information also reported that specialists installed advanced listening devices in nearby buildings in order to monitor and record incoming and outgoing communications of any phone inside the house and in the surrounding area.
SAM indicated that the recent escalation is not—according to the available data—linked to a specific incident or an announced event, and no official clarifications have been issued to justify these measures. However, information suggests that al-Ahmar does not hesitate, while receiving his visitors, to express criticism of the administration in Sana’a, which may be one of the motives behind tightening restrictions on him. It is also not unlikely that the escalation is connected to broader political calculations, in light of developments involving figures from Amran Governorate and a possible attempt to deliver a deterrent message that would limit any coordination that may bring together parties inside and outside in the future.
The organization said that monitoring communications or installing listening devices outside the framework of an independent judicial process constitutes a serious violation of the right to privacy stipulated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Yemen is a party. It added that the restrictions imposed on visits and communication conflict with the legal obligations incumbent on any de facto authority under international humanitarian law.