The internationally recognized Yemeni government has issued an urgent plea to the international community to intervene and secure the release of aid workers and human rights activists held captive by Houthi forces.

In a statement released on Tuesday, August 13th, 2024, by the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Human Rights, the government expressed deep concern over the fate of approximately 70 civilians, including five women, kidnapped by Houthi militias from their homes in early June 2024. Among the detainees are over 18 UN staff members, international organization personnel, and more than 50 civil society activists.

The statement condemned the Houthi's practice of holding the detainees in secret prisons, subjecting them to torture, cruel and degrading treatment, and denying them basic necessities such as food, medication, and sleep. It also highlighted the Houthi media's dissemination of false information to discredit the humanitarian work of the detainees, accusing them of espionage for Israel and the United States, and targeting social values and beliefs.

The government emphasized that these violations not only violate international human rights law and the Geneva Conventions but also constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. It urged national, regional, and international human rights organizations and media outlets to shed light on these egregious abuses.

The statement reiterated the government's call for the United Nations, international mechanisms, and the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to take immediate action to protect the detainees. It expressed grave concern about their fate and well-being, given that over 70 days have passed since their abduction without any information about their whereabouts.

The government urged all those concerned with human rights protection worldwide to condemn these violations and exert necessary pressure for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees, ensuring accountability for those responsible for these crimes.

Earlier on Tuesday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk strongly condemned the Houthi group's raid on his office in Sana'a, reiterating his call for the "immediate and unconditional release of all UN staff detained in Yemen."

In a statement released on the UN Human Rights Office website, Türk stated that the unauthorized entry into the UN office and forceful seizure of documents and property are in violation of UN privileges and immunities. He considered this a serious attack on the UN's ability to carry out its mandate, including promoting and protecting human rights, which his office is dedicated to upholding.

The High Commissioner demanded that the Houthis vacate the premises and return all property and assets immediately.

The statement noted that on June 6th and 7th, Houthi authorities arrested 13 UN staff members, including six from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, along with over 50 NGO staff members and an embassy employee.

Since June 7th, the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, has launched a widespread campaign of arrests targeting international and UN staff working in Sana'a and areas under their control.

On June 24th, 2024, Ahmed Erman, Minister of Human Rights and Legal Affairs in the internationally recognized Yemeni government, stated that the number of detainees held by the Houthis exceeded 70, including UN agency and international and local organization staff, among them five women.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government has repeatedly urged UN agencies and international organizations to relocate their main headquarters to Aden, declared the temporary capital of Yemen, especially in light of the increasing arrests of aid workers and human rights activists in Sana'a and Houthi-controlled areas.

On August 5th, 2024, informed sources reported that the Houthi group, supported by Iran and designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, issued a decision prohibiting all foreign international staff working for UN and international organizations based in Sana'a from traveling.