US Urges Houthis To Stop Oppression Of Bahais In Yemen - State Dept.

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd April, 2019) The United States has urged the Houthi movement in Yemen to end continuing persecution of the Bahai community in Yemen, State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement on Monday.

"We are deeply concerned about credible reports that the Houthis continue to severely mistreat, arbitrarily detain, and torture Baha'is in Yemen," Ortagus said. "This persistent pattern of vilification, oppression, and mistreatment by the Houthis of Baha'is in Yemen must end."

The spokesperson said the Yemeni Bahais experience discrimination and persecution on a daily basis while trying to practice their faith.

Bahais' leader Hamed bin Haydara, Ortagus added, sentenced to death on unconfirmed charges of alleged espionage and apostasy in 2018, has allegedly been tortured during his detention which happened in 2013.

"The Houthis have refused to provide the evidence against him or release him, and most recently refused to rule on an appeal in his case," the spokesperson said.

"While detained, Hamed bin Haydara has reportedly endured physical and psychological torture. The Houthis have targeted dozens of Baha'is with charges similar to those imposed on Hamed bin Haydara and other unfounded charges related to religious affiliation. "

Yemen has been engulfed in a violent conflict between the government headed by President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Houthi movement. The Saudi-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis at Hadi's request since March 2015.

The intense fighting between the two sides resulted in one of the world's most acute humanitarian crises, with about 22 million people in Yemen currently in need of some form of humanitarian assistance or protection, according to the UN figures.