U.N. Human Rights Chief Demands Immediate Release of 13 Staff Members Detained by Houthi Rebels

U.N. Human Rights Chief Demands Immediate Release of 13 Staff Members Detained by Houthi Rebels

Geneva, Switzerland, August 13, 2024 — The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has issued a strong call for the immediate release of 13 U.N. staff members who have been detained by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The detentions, which occurred over the past few weeks in the capital city of Sana’a, have sparked international concern and condemnation, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the dangers faced by U.N. personnel working in conflict zones.

The 13 detained staff members, who were part of the U.N. Human Rights Office and other U.N. agencies operating in Yemen, were apprehended by Houthi forces in a series of coordinated raids. The detentions occurred in late July and early August 2024, as the staff members were carrying out their duties related to monitoring human rights abuses and delivering humanitarian aid.

The U.N. has been actively involved in Yemen, providing vital assistance to millions of people affected by the country’s protracted civil war. The work of U.N. staff in Yemen has been crucial in documenting human rights violations, advocating for accountability, and delivering life-saving aid to those in need. However, their efforts have been increasingly hampered by the volatile security situation and the growing hostility of various factions.

In a statement issued from Geneva, U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the detentions in the strongest terms and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the detained staff members.

“I am deeply alarmed by the arbitrary detention of 13 of our U.N. colleagues by Houthi forces in Yemen,” Türk said. “These staff members were performing critical duties to protect and promote human rights in one of the most challenging environments in the world. Their detention is a blatant violation of international law and an attack on the principles of the United Nations.”

Türk emphasized that the detention of U.N. personnel is unacceptable under any circumstances and called on the Houthi leadership to respect the safety and immunity of U.N. staff.

“We call for their immediate release and urge the Houthi authorities to ensure that U.N. personnel can carry out their work without fear of harassment or detention,” he added.

The detentions have drawn swift condemnation from the international community. The United States, the European Union, and several other countries have expressed their concern and called for the immediate release of the detained U.N. staff members.

“The United States condemns the detention of U.N. staff in Yemen by Houthi forces,” said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement. “These individuals are dedicated to providing humanitarian aid and protecting human rights in Yemen, and their detention is an outrageous violation of international norms. We stand with the United Nations in demanding their immediate release.”

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, echoed this sentiment, calling the detentions “an unacceptable act that undermines the critical work of the United Nations in Yemen.”

The U.N. Security Council is expected to convene an emergency meeting to address the situation and discuss potential actions to secure the release of the detained staff members.

Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since 2014, when Houthi rebels seized control of the capital, Sana’a, and ousted the internationally recognized government. The conflict has since escalated into a regional proxy war, drawing in a Saudi-led coalition in support of the Yemeni government and leading to widespread destruction and suffering.

The war has resulted in what the U.N. has described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with millions of Yemenis facing starvation, disease, and displacement. The work of U.N. agencies in Yemen has been critical in addressing these needs, but the security situation has made it increasingly difficult for aid workers and human rights monitors to operate.

The detentions of U.N. staff members by Houthi forces mark a troubling escalation in the conflict and raise serious concerns about the safety of international personnel in the country.

In his statement, Volker Türk also called on the international community to exert pressure on the Houthi leadership to ensure the safety of U.N. personnel and to hold those responsible for the detentions accountable.

“We cannot allow the detention of U.N. staff to go unanswered,” Türk said. “The international community must stand united in demanding their release and in reaffirming our commitment to the protection of human rights and the delivery of humanitarian aid in Yemen.”

Türk also urged the Houthi authorities to engage in dialogue with the U.N. and other international organizations to resolve the situation peacefully and to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.

The detentions of 13 U.N. staff members by Houthi rebels in Yemen have sent shockwaves through the international community, highlighting the dangerous conditions faced by those working to protect human rights and deliver aid in conflict zones. As the U.N. continues to advocate for their release, the situation underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen and the protection of those who dedicate their lives to helping others in times of crisis.

The U.N. Human Rights Office and other agencies involved in Yemen remain committed to their mission, despite the risks, and will continue to push for accountability and justice for those affected by the war.