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Two activists, social media figure Moataz al-Russi and former local official Najeeb al-Shuaibi, have been abducted in separate incidents in Yemen, drawing strong condemnation from Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC).
The organization described these acts as egregious violations of freedom of expression and human rights.
Moataz al-Russi was reportedly taken at dawn on Monday, December 30, 2024, by forces linked to Musleh al-Darhani, the Dar Saad police chief in Aden. His abduction followed a Facebook post in which he criticized security practices and extortion targeting citizens in the Mansoura District. Al-Russi was transported to an unknown location without any legal procedures.
Meanwhile, Houthi militias in Ibb Governorate abducted Najeeb al-Shuaibi, the former director of the Meat Inspection Authority, on Sunday evening, December 29, 2024. The incident occurred in front of his home in Ibb city, reportedly in response to his Facebook posts opposing Houthi practices. Like al-Russi, his whereabouts remain unknown.
WJWC highlighted the broader context of these incidents, noting a surge in human rights violations across Yemen. In Aden, displaced persons in camps have faced assaults since early December, while Houthi-controlled areas have seen a wave of abductions targeting activists and civilians. These developments, the organization warned, reflect a dangerous escalation of repression.
The organization called for the immediate release of both al-Russi and al-Shuaibi and stressed the need to ensure their safety. It also urged the international community and human rights organizations to take swift action to address the rising violations, protect activists and civilians, and uphold freedom of expression.
In its statement, WJWC warned that the continued perpetration of such crimes without accountability threatens societal stability and entrenches a culture of impunity. The group called for firm measures to halt these abuses and promote respect for human rights throughout Yemen.
