Geneva - SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties stated that the Houthi group continues its violations against workers in the humanitarian sector. On Tuesday, February 11, the death of Ahmed Baalawi, an employee of the World Food Programme (WFP), was announced. He died during his detention in Houthi prisons in Saada Governorate. Baalawi was one of seven local employees arbitrarily detained by the group since January 23. The organization confirmed that this tragic incident highlights the grave risks faced by humanitarian workers in Yemen.

SAM considered that the continuation of these violations is largely due to the unjustified absence of pressure from the international community regarding the Houthis' practices. This has encouraged them to continue suppressing freedoms and targeting civilians, including workers in organizations and UN agencies in Yemen.

The organization mentioned that humanitarian workers enjoy special protection under international humanitarian law and human rights agreements, which stipulate the need to respect and protect these workers and facilitate their humanitarian work without obstruction.

SAM pointed out that this incident brings back the memory of the Hisham al-Hakimi incident, the Director of the Safety and Security Department at Save the Children International, who died in October 2023 inside the Houthi group's National Security prison in Sana'a after being kidnapped and detained for 50 days in inhumane conditions. No one was able to see or speak to him throughout his detention, and no charges or legal measures were taken against him. The organization considers these incidents a dangerous indication of the serious risks faced by humanitarian workers in Yemen.

SAM expressed its concern for the rest of the workers, detainees, and those forcibly disappeared by the Houthi group, given the prevailing negative role of the international community, and the absence of any strong indications of pressure on the Houthi group to release the detained employees of UN organizations. It called for more decisive measures to be taken against the Houthi group, forcing them to immediately and unconditionally release all detained employees.

SAM reiterated its demand to the international community to fulfill its responsibilities towards protecting civilians and humanitarian workers in Yemen, and emphasizes the need to hold those responsible for gross human rights violations accountable.