At a time when we are striving for the release of thousands of abductees held in prisons across Yemen’s governorates—as a humanitarian imperative and a key to the desired peace in Yemen—the pace of abductions has escalated since the beginning of last week in Al-Bayda Governorate. These abductions are being carried out by the Houthis following raids on the Qayfah area of Rada’a in Al-Bayda. We strongly condemn the Houthi campaign of abductions against civilians and citizens in Qayfah’s Hanakah Al Masoud area. Approximately 300 individuals have been reported abducted during this campaign; they are unarmed civilians enduring tragic humanitarian circumstances.
These flagrant violations of human rights represent a continuation of behavior that contravenes all international laws and norms, exacerbates the suffering of citizens, and violates their dignity. Indeed, these actions constitute crimes against humanity for which those responsible must be held accountable before international law.
We call upon the international community, including the United Nations and international and local human rights organizations, to assume their humanitarian and moral responsibilities and intervene urgently to stop these abductions. We further urge them to pressure the Houthis for the immediate release of all abductees and to guarantee their safety and return.
We hold the Houthi group fully responsible for the lives and fate of the abductees. Our voice today is the voice of every abductee, every family awaiting the return of their loved ones, and every Yemeni citizen who dreams of a safe and stable Yemen.
Issued by Abductees’ Mothers Association
January 16th, 2025.