Geneva – SAM for Rights and Liberties stated that the actions of the Houthi Security and Intelligence apparatus against the thinker and academic Dr. Hamoud Al-Oudai and his colleagues Anwar Khaled Shaab and Abdulrahman Al-Alfi constitute a grave human rights violation and reflect a dangerous escalation in the targeting of intellectual and civic voices in Sanaa.

The organization explained that Dr. Al-Oudai was summoned on the morning of Monday, 10 November 2025, from his home in Sanaa and voluntarily complied. However, he has not returned since, and all communication with him has been completely cut off, according to a close source. This raises serious concerns that he may be subjected to arbitrary detention or enforced disappearance.

SAM noted that a post on Dr. Hamoud Al-Oudai’s Facebook page, managed by a relative, confirmed that he and his colleagues are in detention, but did not provide any information about their location or their legal and health status, which constitutes a clear violation of Yemeni law and international standards.

The organization added that this action constitutes a blatant breach of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits arbitrary detention and obliges authorities to guarantee detainees’ legal rights, as well as a violation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of opinion and expression. Turning a formal summons into detention and disappearance represents a serious overreach aimed at intimidating society and silencing free thought.

SAM emphasized that targeting a prominent academic such as Dr. Hamoud Al-Oudai, known for his scholarly contributions and community initiatives promoting dialogue and civic awareness, reflects a systematic approach by the Houthis to eliminate influential voices and reinforce a climate of censorship and intimidation, threatening Yemen’s intellectual and civic fabric.

The organization called on the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release Dr. Al-Oudai and his colleagues, ensuring all their rights, including communication with family and lawyers, and held the group fully responsible for their physical and psychological safety and any violations they may face during detention.

SAM also urged the United Nations, the UN Special Envoy, and relevant international organizations to take urgent action and apply necessary pressure to halt these practices, ensure the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in Houthi-controlled areas, and include these incidents in monitoring reports and international accountability mechanisms on human rights violations in Yemen.