Human rights organization condemns Houthi militia’s kidnapping of activist Abdul Rahman Al-Baydani and demands his immediate release

SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties condemned the kidnapping of activist and content creator Abdulrahman Al-Baydani by the Houthi militia from his home in the Al-Sahoul area north of the city of Ibb (central Yemen), calling for his immediate release and the release of all those kidnapped in connection with the celebrations of the glorious September Revolution.

The organization said in a statement, "The Houthi group arrested activist and content creator Abdul Rahman Al-Baydani from his home in the Al-Sahoul area in Ibb Governorate, due to his celebration of the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution."

She added that the incident came "in the context of a broad campaign of repression practiced by the Houthi group against those celebrating this revolution, as more than 209 people have been arrested in recent weeks, including minors, which reflects the policy of oppression pursued by the group against any expression of celebration of the national revolution."

The organization quoted an informed source as saying that a security official in the militia authorities in the region named "Saddam Al-Qassem" came to "Al-Baydani's" house last Friday after he published a picture of a flame celebrating September, and informed him of the need to come to the police station to delete the post and commit to not publishing, in addition to deleting his YouTube channel.

The source explained in his testimony to the organization that Abdul Rahman had come to delete the last post and delete his channel, accompanied by his uncle, but five crews were waiting for him at the Habish intersection, where he was transferred to the criminal investigation department in the city of Ibb, without any of his relatives accompanying him.

The source added that Al-Baydani's family tried to use mediation to follow up on his situation, but they were informed that he was being held by the intelligence services and it was difficult for them to get him out.

The organization pointed out that the militia had previously tried, through its security official and sheikhs in the region, to force Al-Baydani to delete a number of posts from his Facebook page and close his YouTube channel due to criticism he directed at the militia authorities, especially in the economic aspect, which Al-Baydani actively highlights in most of his productions.

The organization considered that these arrests represent a clear violation of Yemeni national laws, and international covenants and treaties, which affirm the right of people to express their opinions.

Sam noted that these arrests have a significant impact on the reality of public freedoms in Yemen, as they contribute to creating an environment of fear and intimidation that prevents individuals from expressing their opinions or celebrating national occasions. This also reflects the Houthi group’s systematic policy of suppressing opposing voices and restricting basic freedoms.

The organization called on the Houthi group to immediately and unconditionally release Abdul Rahman Al-Baydani and all detainees who were arrested because of their celebration of the national revolution. The organization also called on international organizations to shed light on the ongoing violations committed by the Houthi group and to exert maximum pressure on the group in order to release the abductees.