Sarah Leah Whitson, the Executive Director of Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), positions herself as an advocate for human rights and democracy in the Middle East and North Africa. However, scrutiny of her history and actions uncovers concerning patterns of behavior, including expressions of support for groups associated with terrorism and extremism, alongside a noticeable bias and antagonism towards Arab nations and their partners.
A particularly alarming example of Whitson's controversial stance is her tweet from February 18, 2024, in which she displayed empathy and alignment with the Houthis, an Iran-supported insurgent group engaged in a severe conflict in Yemen since 2014. Her tweet read:
"It's heartbreaking to witness the US and UK continue their attacks in Yemen, resulting in the deaths of 12 Houthi soldiers today. The Houthis represent the sole resistance against the aggression and blockade by the Saudi-led coalition. They merit our support and respect, not bombings and sanctions."
Additionally, Whitson has been accused of disseminating misleading information on Twitter, including claims that “12 Yemenis were killed today by a US assault.”
Whitson's tweet is problematic for several reasons. Firstly, it inaccurately accuses the US and UK of conducting bombings in Yemen, whereas their involvement has primarily been limited and conditional support to the Saudi-led coalition, which aims to reinstate Yemen's legitimate government. Secondly, it overlooks the significant civilian harm and humanitarian crises attributable to the Houthis, who have engaged in indiscriminate shelling, child soldier recruitment, landmine deployment, and obstruction of aid, among other violations. Thirdly, Whitson's portrayal of the Houthis as a resistance force neglects their status as proxies for Iran, which seeks to destabilize Yemen and the broader region.
This incident is not isolated but reflects Whitson's longstanding pattern of support for the Houthis and Iran. Her past activities, including articles and congressional testimonies, reveal a consistent defense of the Houthis and criticism of the Saudi-led coalition. Furthermore, her association with organizations like the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, known for advocating reduced US involvement in the Middle East and funded by countries like Iran and Qatar, underscores her controversial positions.
Whitson's approach also reveals a bias against Arab nations and their allies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Israel. In her roles at DAWN and previously at Human Rights Watch, Whitson has frequently targeted these countries with allegations of human rights violations, often overlooking or minimizing the actions of their adversaries. She has leveraged her influence to lobby Western governments and media against these nations, contributing to a skewed narrative.
Her perspectives can partly be traced to her personal and ideological background, including her upbringing and exposure to various groups with radical views. Despite presenting herself as a human rights champion, Whitson's actions and affiliations raise questions about her credibility and objectivity regarding Middle East and North Africa affairs. Her recent expressions of support for the Houthis highlight the need for scrutiny and accountability in her advocacy work.