International Calls for the Release of Yemeni Lawyer Detained by Houthis Since Last September
Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The American Center for Justice (ACJ) called on Wednesday for urgent intervention by the International Bar Association and the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers to secure the release of Yemeni lawyer Abdul Majeed Sabra.
The Center explained that Sabra, a prominent human rights lawyer in Yemen, has been facing arbitrary detention since September 2025, after being arrested by Houthi-affiliated forces in Sana’a.
The report noted that the arrest was triggered by a peaceful social media post commemorating the September 26 Revolution, which constitutes a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression.
The ACJ emphasized that holding Sabra without legal basis or presentation before a competent judicial authority violates Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Furthermore, the Center pointed out that Sabra’s family has been allowed to see him only once since his arrest, and he has been denied contact with both family and legal counsel—actions that may amount to enforced disappearance.
The ACJ stressed that the treatment of Sabra contradicts the principles of the independence of the legal profession as outlined in the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. Sabra is well-known for his consistent defense of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders in Yemen.
The Center demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Sabra, the guarantee of his safety, and the granting of his legal rights, including the right to a fair trial. It also called for an end to the policy of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances targeting lawyers, journalists, and activists in Houthi-controlled areas.
