United Nations human rights experts on Monday called for the release of a member of the Baha'i community who had been sentenced to death by the Houthi militia courts in Yemen and affirmed that it was unacceptable to punish a person for death on the basis of his religion or belief or belonging to a religious minority.
The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions included Agnes Caladard, Rapporteur and Chairman of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Song Phil Hong, and expert on minority issues, Fernand de Varnes.
Experts stressed that the rule of the Huthi courts is not only a serious violation of internationally protected human rights but also sends a false message to the whole nation of Yemen and to the world if the ruling is supported.
Experts stressed that the right to life and the right to freedom of religion or belief can not be derogated from and must be respected at all times.