27 November 2025: The National Peace Movement (NPM) expresses its deep concern over the continued detention and enforced disappearance of prominent civil society leaders by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) authorities in Sana’a. The most recent cases include Professor Hamoud Al-Awdi, Abdulrahman Al-Ulufi, and Anwar Shaab, who have been forcibly disappeared for more than two weeks after being summoned by the Houthi Security and Intelligence Agency.
These arrests mark a serious escalation targeting leading figures in peacebuilding, development, and humanitarian action. In this regard, the National Peace Movement affirms the following:
First: Professor Hamoud Al-Awdi and his colleagues are among Yemen’s most respected advocates for peace, civic development, social reconciliation, and dialogue-based conflict resolution. Their detention constitutes a direct attack on efforts to advance peace in Yemen and a violation of Yemeni social values, public dignity, and the principles of responsible governance.
Second: The use of repression, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearance against civil actors working for peace and development not only increases the suffering of the Yemeni people but also undermines any credible political process. Such practices contradict claims by Houthis of seeking a comprehensive and just peace.
Third: The NPM holds Ansar Allah (the Houthis) fully responsible for the safety, health, and legal rights of all detainees and forcibly disappeared civilians. Any harm inflicted upon them would constitute a grave breach of humanitarian and legal obligations.
Fourth: The Movement demands the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees and victims of enforced disappearance, their restoration to their families, and full respect for their rights as protected by the Yemeni Constitution and international law.
Fifth: The Movement calls on all civil and political actors, as well as human rights and humanitarian organizations inside and outside Yemen, to publicly condemn these violations and take urgent and coordinated action to pressure for an end to practices that undermine the dignity, safety, and rights of Yemeni citizens.
Peace can only be achieved by respecting civil rights and safeguarding freedom of expression. No party can claim to seek peace while simultaneously arresting and harassing peace advocates who are not parties to the conflict, but are in fact key pillars in ending it.
Issued by:
The National Peace Movement
27 November 2025