A new report by the Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms has revealed that 476 abductees have died as a result of torture in Houthi-run prisons between January 2018 and April 2025, marking what human rights advocates describe as a “systematic campaign of abuse” across 17 provinces.

The report, released on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, documents the deaths of 18 children, 23 women, and 25 elderly individuals among the victims. Many reportedly died inside detention centers, while others succumbed to injuries or deteriorating health shortly after release.

According to the network, the Houthi group operates 641 detention facilities, including 273 secret prisons established in repurposed government buildings, mosques, and even private homes. The report also highlights widespread use of physical and psychological torture, including beatings, prolonged shackling, and denial of medical care.

Human rights organizations are calling for urgent international intervention to investigate these abuses and hold perpetrators accountable. The report warns that the continued existence of secret prisons and unchecked torture practices poses a grave threat to Yemen’s already fragile human rights landscape.