Yemen: Huthi armed group must end crackdown on human rights defenders and NGOs

The Huthi armed group must allow human rights and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to operate freely in the areas of Yemen under their effective control, Amnesty International said today. Amnesty International has spoken to 13 different NGOs in Sana’a, 12 of which are currently closed, who told researchers that over the past six months, they and other organizations have come under increased scrutiny and pressure from the Huthi armed group, which has raided and closed down at least 27 NGOs in Sana’a. Organizations which have continued to operate are in many cases exercising self-censorship and face constraints due to harassment and intimidation of their staff.