JEDDAH: The Iran-backed Houthis have strengthened a contentious code of conduct for government employees in areas under their control, requiring hundreds of officials to swear their allegiance to the organization.
Houthi officials have prepared rallies and ceremonies depicting them signing the 36-page document and asking all new and existing public workers to follow suit from the capital Sanaa to the militia’s heartland in Saada and other provinces in Yemen.
Many Yemenis fear losing their jobs if they do not formally declare allegiance to the Houthis.
The document, obtained by Arab News, makes Houthi movement leaders’ lectures and other sectarian ideologies the major source of advice for public officials.
It also requires workers to be hostile against Houthi opponents and their media channels.
Employees in Houthi-controlled areas will be compelled to support militia activities such as marches and rallies, and to reinforce their “religious identity,” workers will be required to attend lengthy lectures by the movement’s commander and participate in other sectarian activities.
Workers will also be required to “carry revolutionary ardour and participate in religious and patriotic revivals,” according to the paper.
Employees are barred from releasing job-related information and records, or making statements that contradict the movement’s doctrine, including criticism of the Houthis on social media, under restrictions on how to handle the press and social media.
“Refrain from making or disseminating remarks, letters, materials, or information that are contrary to Islamic teachings and values, state policy, or public order,” the paper added.
It also asks employees to boycott media outlets run by the militia’s opponents and to inform the public about them. “Avoid antagonistic and questionable news organizations, and tell others to do the same.”
Workers must sign the contract, and any who refuse or violate its terms will have their employment terminated.
According to the paper, “any violation of the requirements of this code warrants the adoption of disciplinary and criminal actions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.”
“Each employee will sign a formal pledge to follow the Code’s obligations, and a copy will be kept in the employee’s file.”
“I reject forcing citizens to attend Houthi awareness lectures and activities,” Ahmed Nagi Al-Nabhani, a Sanaa-based activist and government employee, told Arab News. I am opposed to making anyone attend sectarian events.”
He stated that he would dispute the document even if it meant losing his job if he refused to sign the code of conduct or attend lectures or courses promoting it.
“Because our nation was created on religious and political pluralism, people should not be pushed into Houthiism.”
“I supported the Houthis while they were imprisoned and loudly argued for their right to exist; but I do not accept them now — when they are in power — to impose injustice on others and force people to conform to their principles and attend their events,” he added.
Another government employee opposed to the paper, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Kebsi, slammed Houthi leaders, who had been receiving their pay and other financial incentives on time, for attempting to impose power on government employees who had not been paid for six years.
“I declare to this authority from the heart of Sanaa, Yemen, that its sectarian code of behavior is illegitimate and even scandalous, humiliating, ugly, and faulty,” Al-Kebsi added.
The Houthis say that the measures will boost productivity and fight corruption.
Source: Arab News