Press Release
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The Egyptian Coalition for Human Rights and Development expresses its deep concern over the issuance of a court affiliated with the “Houthis” in Yemen, a death sentence of (44) people, in a trial that lacks guarantees of a fair and fair trial and a complete violation of the right of defense, demanding the speedy cessation of these unjust sentences.
On Saturday,1 June 2024, a “court” affiliated with the “Houthis” in Yemen issued a death sentence for (44) people, including a businessman working with relief organizations, and these 44 people were among (49) people arrested by (Houthis) and accused of “espionage”, and (4) of them were sentenced to prison. (16) People were sentenced to death in absentia; while (28) others appeared before the Specialized Criminal Court in the capital, Sana’a.
The defense team also withdrew at the beginning of the trial after the judges refused to allow them to obtain a copy of the case papers. The defense team also accused the Houthis of torturing the defendants “physically and psychologically” and disappeared in solitary confinement for 9 months.
In this regard, the Egyptian Coalition for Human Rights and Development calls on the Houthi group to affirm its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights according to charters, covenants, and conventions. In addition to respect for legal rules that guarantee the protection of civilians, prohibit harming the right to life and physical integrity of individuals, stop such unfair trials and sentences issued by them for defective violations that marred the procedures since their inception, and enable the defendants to exercise their legal right to defend themselves.
