Barran Press
The United Nations is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of its staff members being held "arbitrarily" by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The UN spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, stated on Friday, July 12, 2024, that the organization is working through all available channels to secure the release of its employees.
"It has now been over a month since the majority of them were arbitrarily detained," Dujarric said at a daily press briefing. "Four of our UN colleagues have been held since 2021."
Dujarric emphasized that high-level UN officials are actively engaged in securing the release of the detained staff. He urged the de facto authorities in Sana'a, referring to the Houthi group, to release all detainees immediately and unconditionally.
"They must be treated with full respect for their human rights and be allowed to contact their families and legal representatives," Dujarric added.
He further stressed that UN staff, along with national and international NGOs, diplomatic missions, civil society members, and other partner personnel, should never be targeted, arrested, or detained while carrying out their duties for the benefit of the Yemeni people.
Dujarric reiterated the UN Secretary-General's deep appreciation for the valuable work of UN staff and partner personnel in attempting to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.
Earlier this week, the UN Secretary-General sent a message of solidarity to the organization's staff in Yemen, expressing his deep concern for the safety of Yemeni UN staff, national and international NGO workers, diplomatic mission personnel, civil society members, and partners who have been arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities.
The Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, began a widespread crackdown on international and UN personnel in the capital Sana'a and areas under its control in early June.
On June 24, 2024, Ahmed Arman, the Yemeni Minister of Human Rights and Legal Affairs, accused the Houthis of continuing their campaign of arrests against aid workers from international and local organizations in Sana'a. He confirmed that over 70 people have been detained, including employees of UN agencies and international and local organizations, among them five women.