Human Rights Watch Condemns Houthi Referral of UN Staff to Specialized Criminal Court

Human Rights Watch has condemned the Houthi movement’s decision to refer at least six individuals, including a United Nations employee and public health expert Dr. Ali Ahmed Al-Madhwahi, to the defunct Specialized Criminal Court.

The organization stated via social media that the Houthi authorities have consistently failed to adhere to due process in cases documented throughout a broader campaign of abductions. This crackdown has targeted approximately 73 UN personnel and dozens of staff members associated with civil society organizations.

Reports indicate that many of the detainees have been subjected to torture and coerced into providing false confessions under duress. These actions are part of an ongoing, systematic campaign of arbitrary detentions carried out by the Houthi militia against humanitarian and development workers.

Human Rights Watch emphasized that the referral of these detainees to the Specialized Criminal Court remains illegitimate, particularly given the documented evidence of severe procedural violations. The organization continues to highlight credible allegations of physical abuse and intimidation occurring throughout the duration of the detainees' captivity.