NOOR SORIB

Yemen- Yemeni human rights advocates have released a document having fingerprint signatures of a number of religious men in the Bani Hashish district, a rural area in Sanaa. The document reveals that the Houthis fine Yemeni families who oppose their new rules. The new rules issued by the Houthis in mid-September in the areas under their control are about women. According to the issued rules, women and girls have been banned from holding meetings, driving, wearing colored clothes, using mobile phones, and making up; if a woman works for charities, she will commit a crime, according to the new rules. Those who violate the rules are fined 200 thousand Yemeni riyals or banished by their tribes. Human rights advocates reacted to the new rules and said, “They want to isolate women from the world.”

“They use religion to oppress women”

Huda Al-Sarari, a human rights lawyer and president of the Defense Foundation for Rights and Freedom, spoke to our news agency. “Houthi militias have committed the wildest violations against civilians. Especially, women have faced more serious rights violations. Women living in the areas controlled by the Houthis have faced many bans; they are banned from holding meetings, driving, wearing colored clothes, using mobile phones, and making up. The Houthi militias use religion to oppress women,” Huda Al-Sarari told us.

“They want to destroy women’s achievements”

Huda Al-Sarari reported that the tribes in the areas were warned by the Houthis, “The tribes were told to not allow girls to attend any activities. The Houthis forced the leaders of the tribes to sign a document. In Yemeni culture, women and girls are important. For this reason, the Houthis commit serious crimes to destroy this culture and women’s achievements.”

“Those who violate will be punished”

Bardis Al-Siyaghi, a poet and human rights activist in Yemen, pointed to the challenges faced by women. “Before, we reported that the Houthis banned Yemeni women from wearing colored dresses. We shared reports about rights violations. Now, the Houthis bans Yemeni women from using mobile phones, making up, and applying perfume. Those who violate the rules will be jailed for three months or fined 200 thousand Yemeni riyals.”

“They want to isolate women from the world”

Bardis Al-Siyaghi emphasized that the Houthis target women’s freedom in Sanaa and other cities. “They want to isolate women from the world.”