Society
Addressing challenges for the legal community in Yemen
Abducted, threatened and stripped of their licenses, legal professionals in Houthi-run territories are the targets of a deliberate campaign to dismantle the justice system.
![Several Yemeni citizens have voiced their dissatisfaction with the suspension of their lawsuits and complaints in the West Capital Court in the Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa. [al-Nida]](/gc1/images/2026/02/24/54728-1-600_384.webp)
by Al-Fassel |
In Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, a calculated war is being waged against the very foundation of justice.
Lawyers, the guardians of the rule of law, are being systematically targeted in a deliberate assault on human rights and the judicial system.
This escalating campaign of arbitrary arrests, threats and professional restrictions has created a perilous environment, leaving citizens vulnerable and eroding access to fair trials.
The silencing of legal professionals is an attack on Yemen's future, crippling its prospects for peace, reform and recovery.
A systematic assault on the legal profession
The environment for legal professionals in Sanaa and other Houthi-controlled cities has become untenable.
According to a report from the Daoo Foundation, there is a "systematic pattern" of abuse designed to intimidate lawyers and undermine their work.
The organization documented more than 382 violations against lawyers between January 2023 and December 2025, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
These are not isolated incidents; legal professionals face constant threats of arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions in many regions.
They are subjected to threats of murder and physical assault, limiting their ability to practice law freely and securely.
Restrictions are imposed on them, preventing legal professionals from providing defense in political cases or representing victims of human rights violations.
The collapse of justice and calls for action
The consequences of this repression are profound, contributing to a judicial collapse in Yemen.
When lawyers cannot operate safely, the entire justice system begins to falter and collapse.
In response, human rights organizations have issued urgent calls to protect legal professionals and safeguard the independence of their profession.
Highlighted in the Daoo Yemen report, protecting lawyers is fundamental to future reforms; the absence of an independent defense means the absence of justice itself.
These organizations emphasize the urgent need for action and demand the release of lawyers detained for their professional activities.
They also call for an end to all forms of intimidation against legal professionals.
Protecting those who uphold the law is a critical first step toward rebuilding the rule of law.
Ensuring the protection of Yemeni lawyers is not only about safeguarding a profession; it is also about preserving Yemen's opportunity for a just future.