Houthis in Yemen arrest 11 UN employees and aid workers

The United Nations is currently working to secure the release of at least 11 of its personnel who have been detained by Yemen’s Houthi group. The UN spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, has called for the unconditional release of the staff members and is seeking clarification from the Houthis about the reasons behind their detention. The detained individuals include two women and nine men who work for various UN agencies and the UN envoy for Yemen. The UN is actively pursuing all available channels to ensure the safe and rapid release of its staff and access to them.

In addition to the UN personnel, armed Houthi intelligence officers have also detained three employees of the US-funded pro-democracy group National Democratic Institute (NDI) and three employees of a local human rights group. The Yemeni group’s refusal to disclose the location of the detained individuals has been condemned by Human Rights Watch (HRW) as it can amount to enforced disappearance under international law. HRW has called for the immediate release of all detained individuals and an end to arbitrary detentions in Yemen.

The reasons behind the recent detentions in Yemen remain unclear, but they come at a time of heightened tensions and questions regarding the sustainability of the calm between the Houthis and the internationally recognised government. Last month, the government demanded that all banks move their headquarters to Aden, potentially putting further economic pressure on Houthi-controlled areas. The Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa, have been launching drone and missile strikes targeting ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in response to the conflict in Gaza.

The United States is reportedly looking to block parts of a United Nations peace plan adopted in December by the warring parties in Yemen unless the Houthis cease their attacks on international shipping. The Saudi-backed government of Yemen has condemned the recent detentions by the Houthis as a violation of international laws and conventions. Former employees of the United States Embassy in Sanaa have also been detained by the Houthi group, adding to concerns about the treatment of individuals in Yemen.

As the United Nations continues to work towards the release of its detained personnel in Yemen, the international community is closely monitoring the situation and calling for an end to arbitrary detentions and violations of human rights in the country. The detentions by the Houthi group have raised concerns about the safety and security of humanitarian and human rights workers in Yemen, particularly at a time when access to basic necessities like food and water remains a challenge for many Yemenis. It is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize the safety and well-being of individuals working in Yemen and respect international laws and conventions.