Yemen's internationally recognized government is urging the international community to take swift action against the Houthi rebels, designating them as a terrorist organization and imposing sanctions on their leaders. This call, issued Monday, October 7th, 2024, by the Ministry of Human Rights, comes in response to the ongoing abduction and disappearance of over 70 employees and activists, including five women, since early June 2024.

According to a statement released by the official Saba News Agency, the abductees include 19 United Nations and international organization employees who remain forcibly disappeared, their whereabouts and health unknown to their families. The Ministry strongly condemned these actions, highlighting the Houthis' disregard for international appeals from the UN Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Ministry stated that its investigations indicate the detainees are held in secret prisons and subjected to torture, cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment to coerce false confessions. The statement further criticized the Houthi media campaign that falsely portrays the abductees as spies for the US, Israel, and other foreign entities, thereby undermining humanitarian work and damaging their reputations with their families.

The Ministry described these actions as flagrant violations of international human rights law, the Geneva Conventions, and their additional protocols, constituting serious crimes against humanity, including obstructing humanitarian aid. The statement called for the perpetrators to be held accountable in international courts. The Ministry also noted the Houthis' disregard for UN and UN Security Council appeals and their boastful attitude towards these violations as further evidence of their indifference to the international community and the UN Special Envoy to Yemen.

The Ministry appealed to national, regional, and international media and human rights organizations to highlight these abuses, urging concerted local, regional, and international efforts to secure the unconditional release of all abductees and ensure accountability for those responsible.