Yemen Monitor/Newsroom
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres renewed his call on Friday for the immediate and unconditional release of humanitarian workers arbitrarily detained by the Houthi group.
In a statement attributed to the Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, concerning the detention of UN staff and humanitarian workers in Yemen, the Secretary-General reiterated his call for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained by the Houthis.
The statement noted that it has been six months since the detention of over 50 staff members from the UN, international and national NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions, in addition to four other UN staff members who have been held since 2021 and 2023.
The Secretary-General welcomed the recent release of one UN staff member and two NGO workers but reminded that the continued arbitrary detention of dozens more is unacceptable and constitutes a violation of international law.
He emphasized that these detentions threaten the safety of humanitarian workers and significantly hinder efforts to assist millions of people in need. Such actions are incompatible with a genuine commitment to peace efforts.
The UN, NGOs, and other relevant international partners are working through all available channels and authorities to secure the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained.
