ARBITRARILY DETAINED BAHA’IS MUST BE RELEASED

On May 25, armed Huthi forces stormed a peaceful gathering of Baha’is in Sana’a, Yemen, arbitrarily detaining 17 members of the Baha’i community. Since then, 11 individuals have been released following international pressure. However, six remain arbitrarily detained by the Huthi security and intelligence services and are denied their right to legal counsel. They are at risk of further violations at the hands of the Huthi authorities, including torture and other ill treatment. Amnesty International calls on the Huthi de facto authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the remaining six Baha’i detainees as they are detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.   

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Sample Letter:

Dear Mohamed Abdelsalam, 

I am alarmed to learn that six Baha’i individuals remain arbitrarily detained by the Huthi de facto authorities following a raid on May 25, 2023, at a peaceful gathering of the Baha’i community – a religious minority in Yemen- in violation of their rights to freedom of religion and belief, and from arbitrary arrest. Abdul’elah Muhammad al-Boni, a 30-year-old father of two and a humanitarian worker, and Abdullah Al-Olofi, a 45-year-old father of four and a human rights activist, are held at the Huthi-run detention center in Hadda while the other four Baha’i detainees are held at the Huthi-run detention center in Sana’a. All detainees have been denied their right to legal counsel. 

I welcome the release of the 11 Baha’i individuals, however, I am concerned that the remaining Baha’i individuals in custody are at risk of further violations, including torture and other-ill treatment.

I therefore call on the Huthi de facto authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all six Baha’i detainees. I also call on the authorities to end all forms of discrimination and persecution of the Baha’i minority and all others who are targeted solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights including rights to freedom of religion and belief.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

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