Yemen Minister Vows No Immunity for Grave Crimes, Cites Houthi Violations

Yemen's Minister of Legal Affairs, Judge Ishraq Al-Maqtari, declared that any future political settlement will not grant immunity to those who commit grave crimes. She stressed that legal responsibility will encompass not only the direct perpetrators but also the leaders who planned, ordered, financed, and facilitated these actions.

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We Are Documenting Houthi Attacks...No Immunity for Perpetrators of Grave Crimes

Al-Maqtari revealed in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat that national authorities are actively documenting violations by the Iran-backed Houthi group. The ministry is collecting evidence of crimes targeting cities, ports, economic facilities, and infrastructure across Yemen. She highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive legislative reform to address the war's effects and align with economic, technological, and social changes.

The minister explained that the Houthi coup has caused significant distortions in Yemen's constitutional and institutional structure, including the disruption of state bodies, undermining judicial independence, and the proliferation of weapons outside state control. Restoring the rule of law, she stated, requires ending the coup, rebuilding state institutions, consolidating weapons under state authority, unifying the judiciary, and empowering the legitimate government.

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A state governed by the rule of law cannot be established in the presence of armed sectarian militias that impose their will by force and treat state institutions and resources as tools to serve their project.

Al-Maqtari described Houthi attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure as crimes punishable under Yemeni law and violations of international humanitarian law. She reiterated that accountability will not be waived in any future political settlement, ensuring that victims' rights are upheld and perpetrators are pursued.

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Responsibility is not limited to those who directly carried out the crimes, but extends to the leaders who planned, issued orders, financed, and facilitated their execution.