In a joint statement, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have expressed deep concern over recent actions taken by the Houthi authorities in Yemen. Since August 18, at least eight individuals tied to human rights and humanitarian efforts have been prosecuted on charges related to espionage. These charges, linked to articles 127 and 128 of Yemen’s Penal Code, carry the death penalty. Among those charged are two United Nations employees, a UN consultant, and others working with international and local civil organizations on health, human rights, and humanitarian aid.
These individuals have been transferred to the Specialized Criminal Prosecution in Sanaa where vague accusations suggest their humanitarian work was a part of a wider scheme to destabilize societal values. Concerns have been raised regarding their health, with reports indicating inadequate medical care for detainees with serious conditions, including diabetes and one undergoing chemotherapy for stomach cancer.
The rights organizations emphasize that imposing capital punishment following unfair proceedings is arbitrary and conflicts with international laws. As stated in Article 6(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the death penalty should be reserved for the most serious crimes, interpreted as involving intentional killing, which none of these individuals are accused of. This sentiment echoes a broader plea for intervention by Amnesty’s researcher Diala Haidar, who urged governments to prioritize securing the detainees’ release.
This situation fits a broader pattern of arbitrary actions by the Houthis. Similar campaigns have previously targeted political opponents, including the detention of 19 UN staff in 2025. Human Rights Watch reported in January that these detentions have exacerbated Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. As of October, reports indicate 72 staff members of the UN and numerous other workers, all Yemeni nationals, remain detained, despite the recent release of one by the World Food Programme.
[For further details on these developments, click here.](https://www.jurist.org/news/2026/10/rights-groups-raise-concerns-over-houthis-prosecuting-civil-society-workers-for-espionage/)