Oppressing Civil Society: The Compounded War in Yemen

Abeer Mohsen

Yemeni Journalist

Yemen

Published on 27.08.2024

Reading time: 5 minutes

Since the Houthi takeover of Sana’a in September 2014, the group has imposed a series of decisions that have significantly affected the operations of both local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Yemen. The Houthis have exerted control over humanitarian organizations through a range of repressive measures, including requiring them to register their activities and obtain prior approval for any project. They have also scrutinized their bank accounts and expenditures, and forced many organizations to hire employees from their ranks. Additionally, humanitarian aid has been distributed selectively, targeting areas under Houthi control, and in some cases, the Houthis have directly seized aid intended for organizations. The intensity of restrictions on civil society has escalated significantly following the Yemeni government’s decision at the end of May 2024 to move major banks out of Houthi-controlled areas, and its refusal to heed the Central Bank of Sana’a’s demand to stop dealing with 12 banks operating in government-held territories. On the same day, in response to the economic crisis caused by the Central Bank’s decision, Houthi security forces arrested and forcibly disappeared dozens of individuals since May 31, 2024, including at least 13 United Nations employees and many NGO staff working in Houthi-controlled areas. These arbitrary detentions are presumed to be linked to the detainees’ current or previous work, according to Human Rights Watch. Initially, the Houthis did not charge the detainees with any accusations. However, they have a history of leveling dubious charges, including espionage, which has indeed occurred. In June, Houthi authorities released a series of videos and coordinated social media posts on the Houthi-run “Al Masirah” TV channel and related platforms, showing ten Yemeni men detained between 2021 and 2023 confessing to espionage on behalf of the United States and Israel. On July 17, the Houthis issued a new directive requiring organizations operating in their areas of control to consult and obtain approval before hiring anyone, whether Yemeni or foreign. On August 5, journalist Fares Al-Hemyari reported that the Houthis had issued a decree banning the travel of all international staff working in UN and international organizations based in Sana’a. This decision will remain in effect until a new announcement revokes it. This decision coincides with the Houthis’ request for UN and international organizations to have all their officials and staff attend a meeting in Sana’a with the Supreme Council for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and International Cooperation (SCC). Although the Houthis have not issued an official statement, rights activists have reported actual travel restrictions. Closure or Freezing In discussions with some rights activists and local civil society workers in Sana’a, who are deeply concerned following the ongoing and severe restrictions, Ahmed (a pseudonym, head of a development organization) explained that the restrictions imposed by the Houthis have two main forms: security and procedural. Security restrictions are the most severe, effectively crippling the organization’s operations. He added that obtaining work permits is extremely complex, often subject to significant extortion or unjustified delays. Working amidst security constraints and procedural obstacles is extremely exhausting and poses health problems for individuals working in organizations. Some have been forced to close due to their inability to relocate to the south, where government-held areas are situated. Ahmed also highlighted challenges in financial operations due to the division of banks and currency between north and south. They have sometimes been forced to withdraw large sums of money and leave it in a staff member’s house, which is unsafe and unprofessional. They have faced restrictions on withdrawing money or being forced to withdraw it in local currency at lower values. He noted that the bank decision, which coincided with the arrests, was particularly difficult as colleagues who had cooperated with them on sensitive reports were arrested. This increased the risk of arrest for others, leading some to go into hiding or escape. Ahmed recounted experiences of detention, including an incident where he was held for days at a key checkpoint on the Sana’a-Adan road. The situation worsened when he had a camera in his possession, leading him to pay over $1,000 for his release. He now continuously assesses risks and develops plans to minimize losses, particularly through technical measures, as all devices and emails are confiscated, and detainees remain in custody. Despite international humanitarian law requiring all parties in armed conflicts to respect and protect humanitarian workers and prohibit harassment, ill-treatment, and unlawful detention, violations continue in varying degrees and forms. The repressive practices against civil society have deteriorated the state of civil society in Yemen, undermining NGOs’ ability to fulfill their roles in development, human rights advocacy, and building a democratic society. The absence of protective measures against violations and restrictive and repressive actions has weakened their capacity to operate according to annual plans, forcing many to scale back their activities. A 2023 field study of the civil society space in Yemen revealed that repressive practices had led to a deterioration in the performance of 65.7 percent of participating organizations. A significant number were forced to temporarily or permanently cease operations, and 21.4 percent had to scale back their field activities. According to internal information from field workers, several international organizations are preparing to suspend their projects in Yemen. The Worst Crisis Yemen faces an acute and worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions of Yemenis living in dire conditions due to ongoing conflict, displacement, and poverty. Estimates indicate that 18.2 million Yemenis, more than half the population, need urgent humanitarian aid, and 17.6 million people are experiencing food insecurity, with half of children under five suffering from malnutrition. Internal displacement remains a significant challenge, with more than 4.5 million people displaced. The ongoing conflict has destroyed infrastructure and disrupted essential services, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, spreading diseases, and increasing violence against civilians. Economic conditions have severely deteriorated. Additionally, the collapse of the state and its structures has disrupted the application of existing laws, encouraging violence and human rights violations. Despite the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen, the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan has received only partial

The intensity of restrictions on civil society has escalated significantly following the Yemeni government’s decision at the end of May 2024 to move major banks out of Houthi-controlled areas, and its refusal to heed the Central Bank of Sana’a’s demand to stop dealing with 12 banks operating in government-held territories.

On the same day, in response to the economic crisis caused by the Central Bank’s decision, Houthi security forces arrested and forcibly disappeared dozens of individuals since May 31, 2024, including at least 13 United Nations employees and many NGO staff working in Houthi-controlled areas. These arbitrary detentions are presumed to be linked to the detainees’ current or previous work, according to Human Rights Watch.

Initially, the Houthis did not charge the detainees with any accusations. However, they have a history of leveling dubious charges, including espionage, which has indeed occurred. In June, Houthi authorities released a series of videos and coordinated social media posts on the Houthi-run “Al Masirah” TV channel and related platforms, showing ten Yemeni men detained between 2021 and 2023 confessing to espionage on behalf of the United States and Israel.

On July 17, the Houthis issued a new directive requiring organizations operating in their areas of control to consult and obtain approval before hiring anyone, whether Yemeni or foreign.

On August 5, journalist Fares Al-Hemyari reported that the Houthis had issued a decree banning the travel of all international staff working in UN and international organizations based in Sana’a. This decision will remain in effect until a new announcement revokes it. This decision coincides with the Houthis’ request for UN and international organizations to have all their officials and staff attend a meeting in Sana’a with the Supreme Council for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and International Cooperation (SCC).

Although the Houthis have not issued an official statement, rights activists have reported actual travel restrictions.

Closure or Freezing

In discussions with some rights activists and local civil society workers in Sana’a, who are deeply concerned following the ongoing and severe restrictions, Ahmed (a pseudonym, head of a development organization) explained that the restrictions imposed by the Houthis have two main forms: security and procedural. Security restrictions are the most severe, effectively crippling the organization’s operations.

He added that obtaining work permits is extremely complex, often subject to significant extortion or unjustified delays. Working amidst security constraints and procedural obstacles is extremely exhausting and poses health problems for individuals working in organizations. Some have been forced to close due to their inability to relocate to the south, where government-held areas are situated.

Ahmed also highlighted challenges in financial operations due to the division of banks and currency between north and south. They have sometimes been forced to withdraw large sums of money and leave it in a staff member’s house, which is unsafe and unprofessional. They have faced restrictions on withdrawing money or being forced to withdraw it in local currency at lower values.

He noted that the bank decision, which coincided with the arrests, was particularly difficult as colleagues who had cooperated with them on sensitive reports were arrested. This increased the risk of arrest for others, leading some to go into hiding or escape.

Ahmed recounted experiences of detention, including an incident where he was held for days at a key checkpoint on the Sana’a-Adan road. The situation worsened when he had a camera in his possession, leading him to pay over $1,000 for his release. He now continuously assesses risks and develops plans to minimize losses, particularly through technical measures, as all devices and emails are confiscated, and detainees remain in custody.

Despite international humanitarian law requiring all parties in armed conflicts to respect and protect humanitarian workers and prohibit harassment, ill-treatment, and unlawful detention, violations continue in varying degrees and forms.

The repressive practices against civil society have deteriorated the state of civil society in Yemen, undermining NGOs’ ability to fulfill their roles in development, human rights advocacy, and building a democratic society. The absence of protective measures against violations and restrictive and repressive actions has weakened their capacity to operate according to annual plans, forcing many to scale back their activities.

A 2023 field study of the civil society space in Yemen revealed that repressive practices had led to a deterioration in the performance of 65.7 percent of participating organizations. A significant number were forced to temporarily or permanently cease operations, and 21.4 percent had to scale back their field activities.

According to internal information from field workers, several international organizations are preparing to suspend their projects in Yemen.

The Worst Crisis

Yemen faces an acute and worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions of Yemenis living in dire conditions due to ongoing conflict, displacement, and poverty. Estimates indicate that 18.2 million Yemenis, more than half the population, need urgent humanitarian aid, and 17.6 million people are experiencing food insecurity, with half of children under five suffering from malnutrition. Internal displacement remains a significant challenge, with more than 4.5 million people displaced.

The ongoing conflict has destroyed infrastructure and disrupted essential services, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, spreading diseases, and increasing violence against civilians. Economic conditions have severely deteriorated.

Additionally, the collapse of the state and its structures has disrupted the application of existing laws, encouraging violence and human rights violations.

Despite the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen, the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan has received only partial funding, covering just 27.7 percent of the total required. This severe funding shortfall, combined with the repressive environment, hinders humanitarian organizations’ efforts to provide necessary aid.