United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for the unconditional release of 23 UN employees held by the Houthi movement in Yemen, condemning the detentions as unjust and harmful to international humanitarian efforts. The staff members have been held for varying periods, some since 2021, with the most recent detentions occurring in January.
Guterres issued a statement on the one-year anniversary of the Houthis’ large-scale arrests of UN workers and others affiliated with international aid groups, civil society, and diplomatic missions. He said, “This June marks one year since the arbitrary detention of dozens of personnel from the United Nations, national and international NGOs, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions by the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen.”
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He stressed that humanitarian workers “should never be targeted, arrested or detained while carrying out their mandates for the benefit of the people they serve.” Guterres said the detentions have obstructed aid efforts and “undermined mediation efforts to secure a path toward peace.”
Referring to the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday, he appealed to Houthi leaders to show mercy to families forced to celebrate without their loved ones. He also reiterated his condemnation of the death of a World Food Programme employee in Houthi custody earlier this year, calling again for a full investigation and accountability.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed that 23 staff members remain in detention.
Guterres urged all member states to increase pressure on the Houthis to secure the detainees’ release and emphasized the UN will pursue every available channel to achieve that goal.