By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN head Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned the arbitrary detention of 10 more UN personnel by Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen, warned that the growing crackdown is crippling humanitarian operations and putting millions of lives at risk.
The latest incident occurred on Thursday, which noted the total number of UN staff being held by the Houthis to 69.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement these detentions have rendered the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Houthi-controlled areas untenable, directly affecting millions of people in need and limiting their access to life-saving assistance,
“The Secretary-General calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained personnel from the United Nations, but also from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), from civil society and from diplomatic missions,” he said.
“Mr. Guterres calls on the Houthis to rescind the referral of UN personnel for prosecution,” he added, further calling for the respect of international law, including the privileges and immunities of the UN and its personnel, “which are essential to enabling humanitarian action in a secure and principled environment.”
Mr. Guterres and the UN will continue our sustained efforts with Member States and with the Security Council, as well as through direct engagement with the Houthis, to secure the release of all detained UN colleagues, Dujarric added.
