Houthi authorities in Yemen have detained dozens of political opponents since July, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on Nov. 27. The rights group said that at least 70 people associated with the opposition party Yemeni Congregation for Reform, or Islah, were detained on Oct. 28 in Dhamar governorate. HRW noted that 21 of these individuals have been subject to an "unfair trial" on "dubious accusations of espionage," with 17 sentenced to death by firing squad, and two sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

HRW emphasized that it is illegal under Yemeni law to make arrests without a warrant and further stated that detention without a legal basis or prompt charges and criminal proceedings violates both domestic and international law.

Niku Jafarnia, HRW Yemen researcher, stated that authorities "should immediately release all those arbitrarily detained and shift their focus to protecting the rights and fulfilling the needs of those living in areas under their control." Jafarnia added: “They should also free others arbitrarily detained, including those held for commemorating the September 26 revolution, journalists, lawyers, and dozens of United Nations and civil society staff.”

Houthi authorities have also targeted humanitarian workers, including at least 19 UN staff who were arbitrarily detained on Aug. 31. Hans Grundberg, the UN envoy for Yemen, denounced the move, stating:

I strongly condemn the new wave of arbitrary detentions of UN personnel today in Sana’a and Hodeidah, as well as the forced entry into UN premises and seizure of UN property… These arrests violate the fundamental obligation to respect and protect their safety, dignity, and ability to carry out their essential work in Yemen.

The Houthis are a Zaydi Shi'ite movement that took control of Yemen's capital city Sanaa in September 2014 and later seized control over much of northern and western Yemen. According to HRW, they have been detaining political opponents since the takeover, though the number of arrests has increased in recent months.

From JURIST, Nov. 29. Used with permission. Internal links added.

Note: Houthi authorities have announced that the detained UN personnel are also to face trial for espionage.