Yemen
The Arab Lawyers Union has called for opposition to the Houthi group's amendments to the judiciary law in areas under their control in Yemen, stating that these changes represent a serious encroachment on the independence of the judiciary and an infringement on the freedom of the legal profession.
In a press statement, the union warned that the amendments made by the Houthis result in imposing division within Yemen, which has been experiencing a state of war for years and continuous attempts to divide the country. The union emphasized that the judiciary cannot be transformed into a mere tool in the hands of the executive authority, as this violates the provisions of the Yemeni constitution and applicable laws.
The Arab Lawyers Union stated that a lawyer cannot be prevented from pleading due to the defenses and petitions presented in any case, as is the practice in all local, regional, and international courts, which give the lawyer a special status covered by freedom of expression, independence, and immunity. The union called for the protection of the judiciary and the Yemeni Bar Association from the violations of the Houthi group, which does not have any constitutional or legal authority to make such amendments.
The union's condemnation highlights concerns over the erosion of judicial independence and the rule of law in Houthi-controlled areas, urging local, regional, and international organizations to oppose these amendments.
