The SAM Organization for Rights and Freedoms has called for an immediate halt to politically-motivated death sentences in Yemen and review of all verdicts issued by Houthi-controlled courts, citing blatant violations of the right to life.
The organization stated that Yemen witnesses one of its worst periods of politically-driven executions, with the Houthi militia using death sentences as a tool to silence opponents and liquidate rivals, ignoring all legal guarantees for fair trials.
Since 2014, over 550 death sentences have been issued in Houthi-controlled areas, mostly based on fabricated charges and torture-extracted confessions from non-independent courts.
SAM cited egregious cases, including the mass execution of 9 citizens in Sanaa's Liberation Square in 2021 and death sentences against rights activist Fatima Al-Arwali and journalist Taha Al-Maamari.
Politically-motivated executions have become entrenched practice by Houthi authorities to intimidate society and suppress intellectual/political opposition.
The right to life is non-negotiable, and continued executions outside justice frameworks constitute crimes against humanity.
The organization urged the international community to establish permanent monitoring mechanisms for political death sentences, and the UN to launch international judicial proceedings against responsible officials.
SAM also called on the Yemeni government to take firm stance against political executions, unify efforts to document crimes, and abolish vague legal texts criminalizing opinion and opposition.