Yemeni Actor Intisar Al-Hammadi Released from Houthi Detention After Nearly Five Years
Feminist activists and human rights groups praise the release of Yemen's jailed actress, urging for healthcare support.
In a significant development concerning women’s rights in war-torn Yemen, actor and model Intisar Al-Hammadi was released from Houthi detention after spending nearly five years behind bars.
Her imprisonment, stemming from charges of an indecent act and drug possession, has been criticized by rights groups as 'marred with irregularities and abuse.'
Al-Hammadi’s ordeal began in February 2021 when she was detained in the capital Sanaa by Houthi authorities.
A Houthi-run court subsequently sentenced her to five years in prison for the alleged offenses.
This case has been highlighted as a stark example of the repression faced by women and dissents under Houthi control in Yemen.
Her release on Saturday marks a pivotal moment, albeit long overdue, for Al-Hammadi and her family who have endured her absence for nearly half a decade.
The 25-year-old was not only the sole breadwinner for her four-member family but also had begun to make strides in her acting career before her incarceration.
The international community, including human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch, has voiced concerns over the lack of due process and fairness in Al-Hammadi’s trial.
Born to a Yemeni father and Ethiopian mother, she was arrested alongside three other women, with two others receiving lesser prison sentences than the five-year term imposed on her and Yousra Al-Nashri.
The Houthi movement, backed by Iran, has controlled Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since 2014.
Their rule and the ongoing civil war have destabilized the country, which is already the poorest in the Arab world.
In response to the Houthis' control, a Saudi-led coalition intervened in the conflict in an attempt to restore the internationally recognized government.
Recent years have seen little progress in resolving the stalemate, though a deal between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted hostilities.
Both factions within Yemen—the Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government—have been criticized for their restriction of civil liberties, especially concerning women's rights.
They limit women’s travel both within Yemen and abroad, requiring permission from male relatives or guardians.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has documented these restrictive practices, emphasizing that such measures infringe upon basic human rights.
The release of Intisar Al-Hammadi offers a glimmer of hope for activists fighting for gender equality and justice in Yemen.
Calls have been made for the Houthi authorities to provide her with necessary healthcare support as she reintegrates into society.
Her imprisonment, stemming from charges of an indecent act and drug possession, has been criticized by rights groups as 'marred with irregularities and abuse.'
Al-Hammadi’s ordeal began in February 2021 when she was detained in the capital Sanaa by Houthi authorities.
A Houthi-run court subsequently sentenced her to five years in prison for the alleged offenses.
This case has been highlighted as a stark example of the repression faced by women and dissents under Houthi control in Yemen.
Her release on Saturday marks a pivotal moment, albeit long overdue, for Al-Hammadi and her family who have endured her absence for nearly half a decade.
The 25-year-old was not only the sole breadwinner for her four-member family but also had begun to make strides in her acting career before her incarceration.
The international community, including human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch, has voiced concerns over the lack of due process and fairness in Al-Hammadi’s trial.
Born to a Yemeni father and Ethiopian mother, she was arrested alongside three other women, with two others receiving lesser prison sentences than the five-year term imposed on her and Yousra Al-Nashri.
The Houthi movement, backed by Iran, has controlled Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since 2014.
Their rule and the ongoing civil war have destabilized the country, which is already the poorest in the Arab world.
In response to the Houthis' control, a Saudi-led coalition intervened in the conflict in an attempt to restore the internationally recognized government.
Recent years have seen little progress in resolving the stalemate, though a deal between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted hostilities.
Both factions within Yemen—the Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government—have been criticized for their restriction of civil liberties, especially concerning women's rights.
They limit women’s travel both within Yemen and abroad, requiring permission from male relatives or guardians.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has documented these restrictive practices, emphasizing that such measures infringe upon basic human rights.
The release of Intisar Al-Hammadi offers a glimmer of hope for activists fighting for gender equality and justice in Yemen.
Calls have been made for the Houthi authorities to provide her with necessary healthcare support as she reintegrates into society.
