Since late May, an alarming wave of detentions has targeted dozens of humanitarian, development, and community workers in Sanaâa by Houthi national security forces. Many of these individuals, alongside their family membersâincluding children, the elderly, and those with health issuesâhave been detained without charges, legal proceedings, or information about their whereabouts. Such actions, conducted without due process and shrouded in secrecy, amount to enforced disappearances and represent a troubling escalation against those dedicated to humanitarian and development efforts in Yemen.
This crackdown primarily affects individuals engaged in vital work within the humanitarian, development, peacebuilding, and human rights sectorsâfields that are essential to fostering a just and peaceful society. The targeting of these workers is an attack not only on civil society but also on the principles of democracy, justice, and development in Yemen. The 155 signatories call on the relevant authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all detained humanitarian, development, peace, and community workers and to guarantee their safety and humane treatment.
The detentions, conducted without legal justification, violate Yemeni law, which has long upheld the rights to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence. Recent televised “confessions” by detainees, aired without any formal charges or trials, further contravene these legal principles. It is critical to remember that humanitarian workers are protected under international humanitarian law, and all parties to the conflict are obliged to ensure their safety and security.
This wave of detentions is unprecedented in its scope and threatens to undermine the essential humanitarian and development work that millions of Yemenis rely on for survival. The 155 signatories demand the immediate release of all those unjustly detained and call for measures to ensure that civil society can operate freely and safely in Yemen. Failing to protect these workers will only deepen the crisis for the Yemeni people, jeopardizing efforts toward peace, development, and stability.
As the international community watches, the 155 signatories urge swift action to ensure the protection and rights of all detained workers, their families, and Yemen’s wider civil society. With International Day of Peace approaching, they stand in solidarity with all those who have been working tirelessly for a better Yemen and reiterate their call for immediate release.
