Barran Press
A recent human rights report released on December 29, 2024, has documented the abduction and enforced disappearance of 1,304 academics and teachers by the Houthi movement, which is internationally classified as a terrorist organization, across various Yemeni provinces.
The report, published by the Strategic Litigation Portal of the Arab Council and reviewed by Bran Press, details violations occurring from September 2014 to June 2024. It reveals that 1,046 individuals were kidnapped, while 97 experienced enforced disappearance. In addition, 124 detainees reported instances of torture within the prison system, and 26 political trials have been conducted against academic and educational professionals. The report also notes that five women were abducted, with two experiencing enforced disappearance and four subjected to torture.
The provinces most affected by these violations include Sana'a, the capital, Al-Hudaydah, Hajjah, Amran, Taiz, Ibb, and Aden. The report emphasizes that the Houthis deliberately target academics and teachers as part of a broader strategy aimed at undermining influential societal groups and disrupting the educational process in Yemen.
Titled "Lights Behind Bars," the report was compiled by Yemeni journalist and human rights researcher Abdulbasit Al-Shajaa. It documents 20 cases of abduction and enforced disappearance, alongside eight testimonies from victims' families and survivors, as well as two deaths resulting from torture in Houthi detention facilities.
The report highlights the stories of prominent figures who have been abducted, including government ministers, advisors, trade union leaders, university presidents, and respected cultural and scientific authorities—individuals deemed influential within Yemeni society.
According to testimonials from ten released detainees, the violations they endured included arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, physical and psychological torture, sham trials, and death sentences.
The report also details horrific torture practices, including prolonged solitary confinement, denial of medical care, and physical abuse. Some victims faced professional exclusion, confiscation of property, and forced displacement upon their release.
The report calls for the immediate release of detainees and an end to ongoing violations. It urges the international community to pressure responsible parties to uphold human rights and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.