July 12, 2019
Embassy of Republic of Yemen Condemns Houthis for Illegal Death Sentence of 30 Political Prisoners, Urges International Community to Act
The Embassy of the Republic of Yemen unequivocally condemns the Iran-backed Houthi militias for sentencing 30 political prisoners to death through falsified charges and a fraudulent trial. This sentencing represents an immense violation of human rights and the right to due process. The 30 prisoners are academics, politicians, students, and civilians. None of them have engaged in the conflict or fought against the Houthis.
“Every Yemeni citizen has a right to a fair trial and due process,” said His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Ahmed Awad BinMubarak, Ambassador of Yemen to the United States. “The Houthis have exhibited a blatant disrespect for the basic rule of law and international human rights. There are confirmed reports that the Houthis have tortured these innocent civilians. I appreciate the United Nations statement on this issue, and I would urge the United States Congress to take a stand against these flagrant human rights violations and pass the Hurd/Cotton resolutions condemning the Houthis.”
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (UNOHCHR) issued a statement early Friday morning that confirmed the 30 Houthi prisoners were “subjected to arbitrary or unlawful detention, as well as torture and other ill-treatment in custody.” UNOHCHR called upon the Houthis to dismiss these “politically motivated” charges and release those who have been imprisoned under false charges.
The Iran-backed Houthi militias have committed thousands of atrocities against the people of Yemen including the recruitment of child soldiers, the diversion of humanitarian aid and the indiscriminate deployment of landmines in civilian areas. At this time, there are concurrent resolutions in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate that condemn the Houthis for their myriad human rights abuses and international war crimes.