Dozens of Yemeni nationals, including UN staff and members of various organizations, are being held in Yemen. The dire humanitarian situation in the country, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between Yemeni Government forces and Houthi rebels, has left over 18 million people in desperate need of assistance.
The UN Secretary-General has strongly condemned the recent forced entry by the Houthis into the premises of the UN’s human rights office in Sana’a. Despite the return of the office to UN control, the Secretary-General has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained staff.
Speaking from New York, the Secretary-General’s Spokesperson emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of UN personnel as they carry out their mandates. The UN and its partners should never be targeted or detained.