Jemen
The American Center for Justice (ACJ) has called for urgent intervention by the International Bar Association and the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers to secure the release of Yemeni lawyer Abdul Majeed Sabra. Sabra, a prominent human rights lawyer, has been arbitrarily detained since September 2025 by Houthi-affiliated forces in Sana’a.
The arrest was triggered by a peaceful social media post commemorating the September 26 Revolution, constituting a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression. Sabra has been held without legal basis or presentation before a competent judicial authority, violating Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. His family has been allowed to see him only once since his arrest, and he has been denied contact with both family and legal counsel, actions that may amount to enforced disappearance.
The treatment of Sabra contradicts the principles of the independence of the legal profession as outlined in the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. Sabra is well-known for his consistent defense of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders in Yemen.
The ACJ demands the immediate and unconditional release of Sabra, the guarantee of his safety, and the granting of his legal rights, including the right to a fair trial. It also calls for an end to the policy of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances targeting lawyers, journalists, and activists in Houthi-controlled areas.
