HRF Condemns Armed Crackdown on Peaceful Gatherings in Yemen

Aden — The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) expressed deep concern on , over security and military actions targeting peaceful civilian gatherings in Aden and the district of Seiyun in Hadramawt.

In a statement, HRF strongly condemned the use of armed force and live ammunition against peaceful assemblies in both cities, denouncing accompanying campaigns of arbitrary arrests and detentions. 

According to the organization, more than 100 citizens were detained in Seiyun by “National Shield” forces, with HRF verifying the identities of 51 detainees so far. The group also confirmed reports of one participant injured by gunfire.

HRF stressed that such practices constitute a grave violation of the right to freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly, rights guaranteed under Yemen’s constitution and international conventions.

The foundation warned that these measures reflect a troubling trend toward restricting public freedoms and using force against civil activities.

“Protecting security and stability cannot justify undermining fundamental rights or legitimizing arbitrary arrests and excessive force against citizens,” HRF said, emphasizing that respect for the rule of law requires safeguarding individuals’ right to express their views and demands peacefully, without fear or intimidation.

The organization called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees, disclosure of their places of detention, and guarantees of their physical and psychological safety. 

HRF also urged an independent and transparent investigation into the incidents of live fire, excessive force, and arbitrary arrests, with accountability for those responsible to prevent future violations.

Reaffirming its solidarity with victims of abuses, HRF pledged to continue monitoring and documenting developments, while working with local and international human rights mechanisms to protect public freedoms and strengthen accountability and the rule of law.