Eleven years have passed since the enforced disappearance of Mohamed Qahtan.

Eleven years have passed since the ongoing crime of enforced disappearance, considered one of the gravest violations witnessed in Yemen’s modern history. The terrorist Houthi militia continues to disappear the politician, Mr. Mohammed Qahtan, in blatant defiance of International Humanitarian Law, flagrant disregard for international resolutions, and persistent violation of fundamental human rights.

• Mohammed Qahtan represents a prominent political figure who played a pivotal role in the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference—the path that formed a glimmer of hope for Yemenis toward building a modern civil state based on partnership and consensus, before the Houthi militia staged a coup against it, aborted its outcomes, launched their war against the Yemeni people, and targeted political icons, led by Qahtan, in an attempt to silence the voice of dialogue and undermine the national project.

Qahtan’s active presence in the Yemeni political process means his continued disappearance for all these years represents a deliberate targeting of the approach of dialogue and consensus, and a persistence in practicing systematic political terrorism. Furthermore, the militia’s disregard for all humanitarian and political considerations—ignoring the man’s age, national standing, and the suffering of his family who have lived in a state of anxiety and anticipation for over eleven years—reflects the nature of this ongoing crime and confirms that continued enforced disappearance is a stain on the human conscience.

What abductees and the forcibly disappeared endure in Houthi militia prisons amounts to crimes against humanity that do not fall under the statute of limitations, and constitutes a grave violation of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law. The suffering of families, the groans of mothers, and the deprivation of children from their loved ones remain a living witness to the scale of human pain resulting from these crimes, the effects of which will only heal by revealing the fate of the victims and holding those responsible accountable.

The Yemeni Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violations and Torture “Will and Hope” places the international community, the United Nations, the Security Council, and the UN Envoy to Yemen before their historical responsibilities regarding the Houthi militia’s continued disappearance of Mohammed Qahtan, despite his explicit inclusion in UN Security Council Resolution 2216, which represents a clear mockery of international legitimacy and a direct undermining of all peace efforts.

The Yemeni Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violations and Torture “Will and Hope” also renews its full solidarity with the family of Mr. Mohammed Qahtan and with all abductees and the forcibly disappeared. More than 11 years have passed for Ismail Al-Ramadi, Emad Al-Talbi, Shakib Allan, Yahya Al-Aizari, Fawzi Abaid, and hundreds of others forcibly disappeared in the detention centers of the terrorist Houthi militia. The Center affirms that this case will remain at the forefront of its human rights priorities until his release, the disclosure of the fate of all forcibly disappeared persons, and the accountability of those responsible for these grave violations.

The continued disappearance of Mr. Mohammed Qahtan for this duration represents an ongoing crime and a blatant violation of all human values. It confirms that the crimes of the Houthi militia will not fall under the statute of limitations and will not be forgotten; the perpetrators will remain subject to legal accountability until justice is achieved and freedom returns to the kidnapped.

Issued by the Yemeni Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violations and Torture “Will and Hope”

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – Republic of Yemen

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