In protest against the repressive practices targeting human rights defenders in Yemen, the Abductees’ Mothers Association held a seminar today, Thursday, titled “Human Rights Defenders: The Lost Voices,” attended by activists, human rights workers, lawyers, and advocates.
During the seminar, Mr. Maher Al-Absi, a member of the National Committee for Investigating Alleged Human Rights Violations, opened the discussion with the topic: “Violations Against Human Rights Defenders in Yemen.” He emphasized that arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances are among the most common violations against human rights defenders, carried out without legitimate charges and driven by political motives to silence opposition or prevent defenders from exposing human rights abuses. He also highlighted how various parties resort to intimidation, defamation, and creating hostile environments, thus fostering a societal view that justifies targeting defenders.
In the second discussion, titled “The Role of the Government in Protecting Human Rights Defenders,” Mr. Ali Sarhan, Director General of the Human Rights Office in Taiz, noted that the internationally recognized government has not established specific mechanisms or laws to protect defenders due to the country’s internal instability. However, the government has issued statements condemning attacks on defenders, ratified international treaties that protect them, and allowed the formation of human rights associations and organizations. Additionally, authorities have been instructed to support and protect their activities. However, Yemeni courts—particularly those under Houthi control—have not effectively shielded defenders from arbitrary arrest and mistreatment, with some defenders even sentenced to prison for their rights-related work.
Ms. Asma’a Al-Ra’i, a member of the Abductees’ Mothers Association, presented a paper titled “The Main Challenges Facing Human Rights Defenders in Yemen.” She outlined several threats, including arrest, torture, enforced disappearance, and, in some cases, murder. Defenders also face physical and psychological violence, defamation, and social stigma, exposing them to hatred and violence. Gender-based discrimination, digital threats, surveillance, and financial pressures from a lack of funding for human rights organizations significantly limit their capacity to perform their duties effectively.




In the fourth discussion, titled “The Impact of Media Misinformation on Human Rights Defenders,” Mr. Wajdi Al-Salmi, Executive Director of the Free Media Center for Investigative Journalism, explained how misinformation techniques—such as fake news, content manipulation, defamation, and misrepresentation through social media—are used to tarnish the reputation of human rights defenders. These tactics increase the likelihood of threats against defenders, create a hostile environment, and erode both popular and international support essential for their work. This ultimately impacts their ability to gather information crucial to exposing human rights violations. Attendees contributed several interventions, emphasizing the need for a unified mechanism to protect human rights defenders and underscoring the critical role defenders play in advocating for abductees, improving their morale and psychological well-being while in detention.
The seminar concluded with key recommendations, including:
– Enhancing legal protections for human rights defenders.
– Establishing independent monitoring mechanisms to document violations against advocates.
– Increasing international pressure, including sanctions and diplomatic measures, against the Houthi group if they continue detaining or restricting the work of human rights activists. – Enacting comprehensive laws and forming an independent commission to protect human rights defenders.
– Training law enforcement and judicial officials on international human rights standards.
At the end of the seminar, attendees held a protest condemning the wave of abductions carried out by the Houthi group against civilians in areas under its control. These abductions, which targeted individuals celebrating national holidays and raising the Yemeni flag, are seen as flagrant violations of human rights and an attempt to silence free expression
. Protesters called on the international community and human rights organizations to intervene, stop these violations, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure they do not escape punishment. They also demanded the unconditional release of all abductees.


