Yemen’s humanitarian crisis deepens as Houthis continue forced disappearance of Baha’is

Armed Houthi forces stormed a private residence in Sanaa, Yemen, where Yemeni Bahá’ís were meeting, and detained and subsequently disappeared 17 people, Human Rights Watch said on May 25, 2023. The Bahá’ís, a minority in Yemen, have faced ongoing persecution by the Houthis, the de facto authorities in Sana’a and much of Yemen. The recent events are part of what the United Nations expert on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed, previously described as a “persistent pattern of persecution” of the Bahá’ís by the Houthis. The Houthis consider Bahá’ís to be “infidels” and have charged them with apostasy and espionage in Houthi-run courts without due process. The Baha’i International Community (BIC), a nongovernmental group that represents Baha’is worldwide, said that the meeting was an annual gathering to elect the Yemeni Bahá’í community’s national governing body.

Islamic Extremism vs Religious Plurality

The conflict in Yemen has been going on for more than a decade. The humanitarian crisis is one of the worst in the world. It is deeply disturbing to see the worsening plight of the country’s most vulnerable communities, including innocent children, and yet the world seems to have turned a blind eye to the situation. The recent attack on a peaceful Bahá’í gathering held in a private residence is a stark reminder of the challenge Yemenis of various backgrounds continue to face from the Houthis and other extremist groups. The attack was a direct violation of human rights and an oppressive move towards religious plurality.

The Houthis, an armed group that emerged in the late 1990s and whose motto is “Death to America, death to Israel, curse on the Jews, victory to Islam”, oppose religious diversity and espouse a harsh interpretation of Shi’a Islam. The group has taken the approach of systematically eradicating the Bahá’í religion, which they consider a deviation of Islam. Furthermore, they are holding Bahá’ís hostage on charges of apostasy and espionage. This authoritarian approach is incompatible with the universal principles of human rights, religious diversity, and interfaith harmony.

Enforced Disappearance and Lack of Accountability

The lead-up to the May 25 attack is alarming since it indicates that the Houthis’ acts of aggression and persecution are not slowing down. Human Rights Watch has noted that Houthi authorities have not responded to the victims’ families’ requests for information about the whereabouts of their loved ones, making it likely that they have been subjected to enforced disappearance. The international community should exert pressure on Houthi authorities to release the disappeared immediately, reveal their whereabouts, and ensure that they are treated humanely and with respect for their basic human rights.

The Houthis have had a track record of systematically harassing, arresting, and detaining Bahá’ís, including minors, with full knowledge that their actions contravene not only Yemen’s laws but also its international obligations under treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Despite this, the international community’s pressure on the Houthis seems outdated and ineffective, at the expense of protecting human dignity, respect of religious diversity, fair treatment, and justice. Hence, it is imperative that the international community calls for accountability and a cessation of the hostility towards religious minorities.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Yemen‘s political situation remains unstable, and the economy is in shambles. The Houthi conflict has created a humanitarian crisis in which the country and its people are suffering. The Bahá’í community has been a victim of gender-based violence, arbitrary detention, and harassment by the authorities. Hence, there is a need for a more coalition-based approach to protect Yemeni civilians. Also, reports have shown that following the May 25 raid, there are fears that similar events may occur, targeting Bahá’ís across Houthi-controlled Yemen. The international community, therefore, must intensify its call for accountability and put more pressure on the Houthis to stop the persecution and free those in custody. Furthermore, the current situation in Yemen is an urgent reminder of the need for continued solidarity with and attention to the plight of the Bahá’í and other minorities who are at risk and denied their right to freedom of religion, belief, assembly, and association. It also reinforces the need to support Yemenis’ efforts to reach a peaceful, stable, and prosperous resolution to the ongoing devastating conflict.

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