The UN Security Council’s Panel of Experts on Yemen has identified a Houthi network involved in the repression of women who oppose Houthis, including through the use of sexual violence.
In its recent report addressed to the President of the Security Council, the Panel documented a set of violations committed by pro-Houthi women, which included arbitrary arrest and detention of women, looting, sexual assault, beating, torture, and facilitation of rape in secret detention centers.
According to the report, Houthi women constitute an intelligence agency. Among their tasks are searching women and homes, teaching the militias’ ideology and maintaining order in women's prisons.
The Panel also documented an increased repression against women. It reported the detention of 11 women, who were beaten, tortured, and sexually assaulted due to their political affiliations or their participation in political activities or public protests.
The report said these women were threatened with being charged with prostitution or with organized crime if they continue acting against Houthis.
It pointed to the Security Council Resolution 2467 (2019), which confirmed the increasing repression of women who express political opinions or participate in demonstrations and stressed that this affects their ability to participate in conflict resolution efforts and decision-making processes.
The Panel affirmed that it has been investigating the involvement of Director of the Sanaa-based criminal investigation department Sultan Zabin in the torturing process of a political activist in an identified location.
It also received testimonies from several humanitarian actors on the militias’ intentional rejection of NGO projects related to women, peace and security or women's empowerment.
The Panel also investigated cases of women who were arrested and detained for reasons related to their humanitarian work.
It recommended the Security Council to include in its next decision expressions that condemn enforced disappearance, sexual violence, and repression against women who express political opinions or participate in demonstrations and express their intention to impose sanctions on those who carry out these actions.
