On December 9, in conjunction with the recognition of International Human Rights Day, the United States imposes sanctions on one individual and one entity from Yemen under Executive Order (E.O.) 13818 due to their involvement in serious human rights abuses.
The United States imposes sanctions on Abdulqader Hasan Yahya al-Murtadha, head of the Houthi National Committee for Prisoners' Affairs (HNCPA), and the HNCPA for their connection to serious human rights abuse in Yemen. Al-Murtadha, in his role as the head of the HNCPA, has been directly implicated in torture and other forms of cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment of prisoners detained in the Houthi prison system. The Houthi prison system continues to detain individuals exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including journalists, human rights defenders, political opponents and UN, NGO, and U.S. locally employed Embassy staff, among others.
These designations aim to show solidarity with detained current and former U.S. Embassy locally employed staff and to publicly condemn the Houthis' perpetuation of serious human rights abuse. These designations also aim to put pressure on the Houthis and bolster other U.S. government efforts to release those wrongfully detained in Houthi prisons, including our staff.
The United States remains deeply concerned about the delicate security situation and human rights abuses in Yemen, particularly relating to the detention of human rights defenders, activists, and current and former U.S. Embassy locally employed staff members by the Houthis.
We remain committed to promoting accountability for serious human rights abusers and denying their access to the U.S. and international financial systems. We will continue to use these tools to promote accountability for individuals fomenting violence in Yemen, including Houthi so-called officials.
Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or otherwise exempt, all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited. The prohibitions include: the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.
