On December 10, 2024, the National Committee for Prisoners and Abductees, a civil entity in Yemen, hailed the U.S. decision to designate the Houthi Prisoners Committee as a terrorist organization as a positive step towards achieving justice for victims of systematic violations committed by the group against civilians and detainees.

In a statement reviewed by "Barran Press," the committee referenced numerous reports documenting the abuses perpetrated by the Houthi-run National Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, including physical and psychological torture and denial of medical care.

The statement noted that these violations contravene international humanitarian laws and fundamental human rights principles. It urged the international community to leverage this decision to increase pressure on the Houthi group to cease its violations and release all arbitrarily detained individuals unconditionally.

The committee emphasized the importance of holding those responsible for these crimes accountable in international courts to ensure they do not escape punishment.

On December 9, 2024, the U.S. government imposed new sanctions targeting the Houthi Prisoners Committee and its head, Abdul Qader Al-Murtada, who is accused of torturing detainees, including journalists and aid workers.

According to a statement from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, translated by "Barran Press," the Office of Foreign Assets Control designated the Houthi committee and Al-Murtada under Executive Order 13818 for being responsible or complicit in serious human rights abuses.

The statement highlighted that Al-Murtada is responsible for the committee, which has committed serious human rights violations under his leadership. It noted that the Houthi Prisoners Committee's facilities, including a prison known as Dar Al-Sarf in Sana'a, have been reported to systematically torture inmates and subject them to cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment by prison staff, according to United Nations assessments.