The 57th Session of the Human Rights Council

9 September 2024 – 11 October 2024

Item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council's attention

24 September 2024

Statement of Association Ma'onah for Human Rights and Immigration

Delivered by Inès Najeh 

Thank you. 

We wish to highlight the situation of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention in Yemen and Iraq.

In Yemen, since the Houthis seized power, enforced disappearances have been systematically used as a weapon of repression. Civilians, journalists and human rights defenders have been abducted and held in detention centers, often without due process. 

More than a hundred days have passed since the Houthis have arbitrarily detained staff members of the UN and international civil society organizations, often resulting in enforced disappearances. It is known that the group subjects its detainees to inhumane conditions and torture. 

The situation of enforced disappearances in Iraq, remain largely forgotten by the international community. Thousands of victims have vanished without trace, leaving their families in silence with no justice. Among the violations of international law committed by militias, enforced disappearances worsen Iraq's humanitarian crisis. This practice, which is ongoing, causes severe economic hardship for families, adding to their suffering and increasing the urgent need for international attention and accountability.

In light of these grave violations, Association Ma'onah and Geneva International Centre for Justice urge the council to intensify its efforts to document the enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions occurring in Iraq and Yemen. The international community needs to work towards holding perpetrators accountable and ensure justice for the victims and their families. 

Thank you.