Yemen – The Secretary-General reiterates his condemnation of the Houthis’ detention of employees of the United Nations and other parties

He also renewed his condemnation of the arbitrary detention of United Nations employees in 2021, 2023, and 2025, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees.

In a press statement, UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq said that 73 UN employees are still arbitrarily detained, “One of our fellow UN staff members died in detention.”

He added that some colleagues are being held incommunicado without being allowed to communicate with their families or lawyers. He said that these measures violate international law, cause profound suffering to families, and have significantly limited the ability of the United Nations and its partners to provide assistance to millions of people in need throughout Yemen.

United Nations personnel, including citizens of Yemen, enjoy immunity from legal process in relation to all acts undertaken by them in their official capacity.

In the press statement, the Secretary-General stressed the importance of continuing dialogue and communication with the de facto Houthi authorities to ensure the release of detained staff and enable the resumption of humanitarian and development activities.

The United Nations will continue to seek through all possible means to ensure the immediate and safe release of detainees. The Secretary-General affirmed his full solidarity with them and their families, and reiterated that humanitarian workers should not be the target of detention for performing their vital work.

The Secretary-General affirmed the United Nations’ firm commitment to supporting the people of Yemen and their aspirations for a just and lasting peace.