Geneva – SAM organization for Rights and Liberties stated that the arrest of lawyer and legal consultant Abdulmajid Sabra by the Houthi group constitutes a grave violation of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and represents yet another step in the group’s campaign to silence critical voices.

The organization reported that armed Houthi members stormed Sabra’s office in the Shumaila district of Sana’a and took him to an undisclosed location after confiscating his personal belongings, according to journalist Fares Al-Hemyari.
It pointed out that the arrest came less than 24 hours after Sabra published a Facebook post in which he criticized the group’s policy of allowing its supporters to organize events glorifying what it calls the “21 September Revolution,” while at the same time restricting Yemenis and attempting to prevent them from commemorating the 26 September Revolution—a revolution Sabra described as a pivotal moment that restored the dignity of the people and liberated them from the myths of the Imamate rule.
The organization affirmed that such practices reflect an authoritarian tendency that does not tolerate dissenting views and clearly reveal the group’s double standards with regard to freedom of expression. It noted that targeting a prominent human rights figure like Sabra constitutes a clear message of intimidation to other voices defending rights and freedoms.
SAM stressed that what occurred is a flagrant violation of both domestic laws and international conventions, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of lawyer Abdulmajid Sabra, and for ensuring his right to practice his profession and express his opinions without fear or harassment.
The organization also urged the international community—particularly the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Special Rapporteurs on freedom of opinion and expression and on human rights defenders—to take urgent action to pressure the Houthi group to stop targeting rights advocates and activists and to guarantee their protection.