South OC Times

Congressmen Darrell Issa and Dean Phillips have introduced the Houthi Human Rights Accountability Act (H.R. 9564) to address human rights abuses, student indoctrination, and attempted aid diversion by the Houthis in Yemen. The legislation is scheduled for markup in the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday, September 24.

"The Houthis campaign of terror has expanded from a serious regional concern to a daily crisis in a part of the world that is increasingly unstable with armed conflict across multiple nations," said Rep. Issa. "Their blatant human rights abuses, teaching of antisemitic hate, and outright theft of international aid are happening every day, and the Houthi Human Rights Accountability Act puts a spotlight where it belongs, tells the truth about these terrorists, and will put our national interest on a better course to deal with it."

Rep. Phillips added, "The Houthis, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, wreak havoc not only across the region through its relentless attacks in the Red Sea but also on the Yemeni people. I am appalled by the Houthis' continued human rights abuses against Yemeni civilians, especially children, as well as the continued detention of international aid workers. This brutal behavior must be held to account, which is why I am pleased to introduce the Houthi Human Rights Accountability Act with Rep. Issa."

The Houthi movement, officially known as Ansarallah, has been identified as a terrorist group based in Yemen receiving support from Iran for terrorism within Yemen and regionally. Since October 7th of last year, they have disrupted international shipping in and around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden by firing drones, rockets, and missiles while frequently attacking U.S. Navy vessels.

Specifically, H.R. 9564:

- Affirms that Congress views Houthi antisemitic indoctrination as a threat to regional stability.

- Requires reports from the State Department and USAID to Congress on Houthi indoctrination and gross violations of human rights abuses by the Houthis.

- Mandates determinations on whether Houthis involved in blocking humanitarian aid and committing human rights abuses should be sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Act.

- Requires determinations on whether Houthis should be sanctioned for hostage-taking under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act.

The text of the bill can be found here.