Ansar Allah (Houthi) Group Must Immediately Release All Arbitrary Detainees
Sana’a
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Mwatana for Human Rights has stated that the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group must promptly release all individuals arbitrarily detained in connection with peaceful gatherings and hold those responsible accountable for serious violations that have infringed upon their fundamental rights, including the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, political and social rights, the right to equality and non-discrimination, and their right to freedom and dignity. These rights are protected by the Yemeni constitution, national laws, and international conventions ratified by Yemen, beginning with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It is imperative to prevent the recurrence of such violations under any circumstances.
A few days following the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group's celebrations commemorating their armed entry into the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, on September 21, 2014, in various squares and public spaces, the armed forces of the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group initiated an extensive suppression campaign. During this campaign, they unlawfully detained numerous participants in peaceful gatherings, including children, who had joined in popular celebrations on various streets and public roads in several regions under the group's control, such as Sana'a, Ibb, Hodeidah, Taiz, and Hajjah. These celebrations were spontaneous and disorganized, with the number of participants growing over the years of the war. These celebrations marked the anniversary of the September 26, 1962 revolution, which brought down the imamate and established the republican regime. This day is recognized as one of the country's official national holidays by national legislation.
According to eyewitness accounts documented by Mwatana, hundreds of young men, women, and children participated in the peacefull gathering in Sana'a, as well as in other Yemeni regions, on the evening of Monday, September 25, 2023. On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, hundreds of celebrants gathered in various locations in the capital, including the intersections of "Remas" and "Rowaishan" in the city center. Many others gathered in urban centers such as Ibb, Hajjah, and Taiz. They adorned their vehicles with the Yemeni flag and drove them through the streets, roads, and public squares, raising national flags during these gatherings, and playing national songs and anthems. The celebrations were also widely shared on social media platforms, storefronts, buildings, and during social activities.
As part of an extensive campaign to suppress the celebrations and participants, the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group deployed armed groups on public streets near these peaceful gatherings. They proceeded to halt participating vehicles in the celebrations, verbally assaulted drivers and passengers, forcibly confiscated national flags, and prevented them from engaging in any celebratory activities. The gatherings were forcefully disbanded, and dozens of celebrants were assaulted by the rifle butts. They also blocked roads and arbitrarily detained dozens, including children. Additionally, the group's affiliates accused participants in the celebrations of immorality and chaos-inciting charges, associating them with dormant cells.
Radhya Al-Mutawakil, the Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights, stated, "The legal and ethical foundation that ensures Ansar Allah's right to exercise their rights to demonstrate, peacefully assemble, celebrate, and express their opinions safely is the same legal and ethical foundation that guarantees the rest of Yemenis their rights to demonstrate, peacefully assemble, celebrate, and express their opinions safely. This embodies the practical definition of equal citizenship, the rule of law, justice, and the preservation of the dignity, rights, and freedoms of Yemenis."
Radhya Al-Mutawakil added, "Ensuring the exercise of Yemenis' rights to demonstrate, peacefully assemble, celebrate, and express their opinions safely is a fundamental and guaranteed aspect of the Yemeni constitution and laws. The differential treatment of certain individuals while suppressing others conveys a dangerous message, undermining public peace and coexistence, and revealing discriminatory practices against Yemenis who are not loyal to the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group. This diminishes their citizenship, political rights, and freedoms, presenting a contradictory picture to the struggles of Yemenis over the decades."
An eyewitness recounted to Mwatana, "My friend Omar Ali (pseudonym-16 years old ) and I, along with some friends, went out on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, to celebrate the anniversary of the Yemeni Revolution in the Taiziyah district of Taiz Governorate. To our surprise, we encountered over 40 military vehicles affiliated with the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group patrolling the area, with the aim of detaining anyone carrying the Yemeni Republic's flag. Many individuals, including my friend Omar and his cousin, fled the scene. When they reached Dares market, his cousin stepped out of the car to purchase a bottle of water from one of the grocery stores. Meanwhile, Omar, holding the flag, waited for him outside. Three soldiers, dressed in military uniforms with Ansar Allah (Houthi) group insignia, detained Omar and transported him to an undisclosed location."
Another witness informed Mwatana, "My nephew, Ali Mohammed (pseudonym - 24 years old), went out with his friend on a motorcycle in the evening of September 25 to celebrate the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution. They were heading to Tahreer Square in Amanat Al-Asimah, Sana’a, passing through Al-Sabeen Square, while carrying the Yemeni flag. When they reached Ali Abdul Maghni Street, they were unexpectedly confronted by several officers from Jamal Jameel Police Station who obstructed their path and detained them for a period of 9 days. During their detention, they were denied visits or communication with the outside world. Prior to their release, they were coerced into signing commitments, the details of which remain unknown to me. Throughout their detention, they were not informed of the charges against them, and the majority of the interrogation questions focused on why they chose to participate and who incited and paid them for their participation."
In the days following the detentions, Mwatana’s legal support team has been actively providing legal support to those who were arbitrarily detained, with the objective of facilitating their release. Human rights efforts have continued and are ongoing as of the date of this statement. The legal support team conducted more than 27 field visits, which included visits to the Public Prosecutor's office, police stations, and several detention centers. During these field visits, Mwatana's legal team documented the detention of 21 participants, including children, all of whom have since been released. The team also maintained contact with many of the victims' families, most of whom expressed serious concerns about sharing any information related to the victims due to fears of potential harm in detention centers or because some of them had signed commitments not to discuss their experiences stemming from their participation in the celebrations commemorating the September 26 Revolution.
Mwatana for Human Rights calls on the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group to cease these violations and take measures to prevent their recurrence. Mwatana strongly urges for the prompt release of the detainees and for holding those responsible for these violations accountable. Additionally, Mwatana reiterates its call for adherence to the principles of human rights, compliance with national laws, and the utmost respect for individual rights and the exercise of freedoms. This includes the right to peaceful assembly, which is guaranteed by both applicable national law and international conventions ratified by Yemen.
