Coomenting on the arrest of Judge, Abdulwahab Qatran, from his home in Sana’a on January 2, 2024, Niku Jafarnia, Yemen and Bahrain researcher at Human Rights Watch said:”“While the Houthis are busy promoting an image to the world that they are defending Palestinians in Gaza , they are ruthlessly silencing Yemenis under their rule who dare to criticize them,”.
She added “Arresting a person without a warrant and clear charges is a violation under the Yemeni Criminal Procedures law, article 132. Judges also have additional legal protections under Yemeni law. The 1991 Yemeni Law of Judicial Authority, article 87, says that “judges shouldn’t be arrested or detained temporarily unless there is an official warrant from the supreme judicial council.”
HRW Ms Jafarnia said: ”Judge Qatran’s arrest is one apparent example of a broader pattern of Houthi crackdowns on people’s rights to freedom of expression, as well as a pattern of abuse against activists and perceived political opponents. “