Yemeni government called on the international community, On Friday, the United Nations, and human rights organizations and bodies to put pressure on the Houthis to release a number of abducted Yemenis of the "Baha'i sect" and stop its "racist practices" against religious minorities in the country.
The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism in the Yemeni government, Muammar Al-Eryani, said in a statement published by the Yemeni News Agency, "Saba", that "the Houthis continue to forcibly disappear a number of members of the Baha'i sect, including women, in their illegal detention centers since the 25th of last May." .
Al-Eryani stated, "The Houthis stormed a peaceful annual meeting of the Baha'i sect late last month, in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, which they control, and kidnapped 17 members of this sect, including 5 women," in a heinous crime that confirms their proceeding, under Iranian guidance, in the approach of targeting and systematic terrorism against Religious minorities, led by the Baha'i community," according to his description.
The Yemeni minister held the Houthis fully responsible for the safety of the abducted "Ahmed Al-Mallahi", a member of the Baha'i sect forcibly hidden in Houthi detention centers, "who suffers from health problems and has not received any care since the moment of his arrest, which puts his life at stake," according to Al-Eryani.
He pointed out that the followers of the Baha’i community “have been subjected to a series of crimes and violations since the start of the coup, which varied between house raids, terrorizing families, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest, psychological and physical torture, enforced disappearance and exile, subjecting them to trials on fabricated charges outside the framework of the law, confiscating and looting their property, storming and confiscating their headquarters, and incitement.” against it," he said.
Al-Eryani called on the international community to prosecute and hold the Houthis responsible for these violations accountable, as "a violation of freedom of religion and belief and the right to organize, assemble and practice religious rites sanctioned by international laws, charters and treaties."
The Mufti of the Houthis, Shams al-Din Sharaf al-Din, had launched a violent attack against the Baha'i community in Yemen, during a sermon he delivered earlier this month, in which he accused them of "secretly misleading people and receiving support from hostile foreign powers."
A few weeks ago, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the use of any language that incites discrimination and violence that "raises serious concerns", especially against minorities.
Expressing its grave concern over the Houthis' detention of a group of followers of the Baha'i sect. calling for their immediate release.
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