The Ansar Allah (Houthi) Group Must Immediately Release Writer Mohammed Al-Mayyahi
In a statement issued today, Mwatana for Human Rights reported that the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group continues to arbitrarily detain writer Mohammed Al-Mayyahi for the fourth consecutive month, in flagrant violation of freedom of opinion and expression, the applicable national laws, and procedural justice principles.
Mwatana added that on Friday, September 20, 2024, at approximately 6:00 a.m., at least six armed men affiliated with the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group's Security and Intelligence Service in Sana’a, accompanied by a female police officer, raided the home of writer Mohammed Al-Mayyahi in Ma'in District, Sana’a. They searched the house, terrorized his family, confiscated his laptop and phone, and then took him away in a military vehicle to an unknown location.
In its statement, Mwatana indicated that Mohammed Al-Mayyahi was subjected to enforced disappearance by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group for 45 days—from the date of his arrest until November 5, 2024. During this period, neither his family nor his lawyers were allowed to communicate with him or visit him, and no information was disclosed regarding his place of detention or the specific charges against him. He was deprived of legal protection, while his family endured continuous anxiety and suffering over his fate. On November 5, 2024, he was finally able to contact his family, informing them that he was being held at the Counterterrorism Unit in a correctional facility in the Hadda area. His family was allowed to visit him for the first time on November 7, 2024.
Radhya Al-Mutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights, called on the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group to "immediately release writer Mohammed Al-Mayyahi, as his arbitrary detention over his writings constitutes a violation of freedom of opinion and expression."
Al-Mutawakel added, "The right to criticism and freedom of expression is guaranteed under national laws. Detaining individuals for exercising their natural and protected right is disgraceful and must be stopped."
The arbitrary detention of individuals for their opinions contravenes the principles of the Constitution of the Republic of Yemen and its applicable laws, which guarantee freedom of opinion and expression and prohibit the arrest of any person without legal grounds, formal charges, or an arrest warrant issued by a legally authorized entity. Additionally, national laws mandate that investigative authorities must refer detainees and case files to the Public Prosecution within 24 hours of arrest.
Mwatana for Human Rights called on the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group to immediately release writer Mohammed Al-Mayyahi, investigate the violations committed against him, put an end to such abuses and practices, and uphold individuals' rights to expression, criticism, and legal protection under all circumstances.
