Human Rights Activist Reports Harassment, Arbitrary Detention of Women by Houthi Elements in Hodeidah

A human rights activist has revealed that she was subjected to harassment and other abuses by elements affiliated with the Houthi militia in Hodeidah Governorate, western Yemen.

The activist, Layla Al-Maqtari, stated in a video recording posted on her Facebook page that she experienced an incident of harassment within a police station in the Bajil district, which is under Houthi control. She expressed her dismay at what she described as a violation of women's dignity within a security facility that is supposed to provide protection to citizens.

Al-Maqtari added that her experience is not an isolated incident but reflects a reality faced by many women in areas controlled by the militia. She pointed to the detention of female travelers for long hours at checkpoints, specifically mentioning the "Al-Naqa" security checkpoint at the entrance to Hodeidah city.

According to her testimony, security personnel at these checkpoints justify detaining women by claiming the absence of a male guardian or by citing a lack of travel permits. She considers these justifications to be a means of imposing illegal restrictions on women's movement.

She also mentioned receiving reports and testimonies from women who claimed to have been assaulted and extorted within security premises in the Bajil district by Houthi individuals belonging to the local security apparatus.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation on social media platforms, amid ongoing reports of abuses against women in areas under Houthi control. Activists are calling on international human rights organizations to conduct independent investigations into these allegations, ensure the protection of women and travelers, and hold those responsible for these violations accountable.