Barran Press
On September 21, 2024, the American Center for Justice (ACJ) condemned the recent wave of kidnappings by the Houthi group, which is internationally recognized as a terrorist organization. The center stressed the necessity of holding perpetrators accountable through criminal judicial processes.
In a statement published on its website, seen by Barran Press, the ACJ described these actions as "illegal" and a "blatant violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Yemeni constitution and international law."
The center reported that on the afternoon of September 20, the Houthis abducted journalist and writer Mohammad Dubwan Al-Miyahi without any legal justification or clear charges, just days after the arrest of media activist Sahar Al-Kholani for her criticisms of the group.
The ACJ noted that these arrests "are part of a systematic campaign of repression against any dissenting voices," constituting a severe breach of numerous international and local legal provisions.
The center called on the Iranian-backed group to "immediately release all political detainees and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms."
On September 20, human rights sources confirmed the kidnapping of Al-Miyahi by Houthi militants, occurring just two days after he published an article criticizing the group and the speech of its leader during a Mawlid celebration.
According to sources, Al-Miyahi was taken when armed men, accompanied by women, stormed his apartment and transported him to an unknown location, seizing all his electronic devices, including his phones.
Al-Miyahi had previously written an article criticizing the Houthis’ celebrations and expressing his views on the rhetoric of their leader, Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, following a recent address in Sabeen Square in Sana'a.
In recent days, the Houthis have intensified their campaign of abductions targeting activists and social and political figures in areas under their control, particularly in Sana'a, Taiz, and Al-Hudaydah, amid preparations for the 62nd anniversary of the September 26 Revolution.