Daijiworld Media Network - Sanaa
Sanaa, Oct 9: A United Nations staff member detained in Yemen earlier this week has been released, bringing the current number of detained UN personnel in the country to 53, according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.
Speaking at a daily press briefing on Wednesday, Dujarric said, “I told you yesterday that an additional UN staff member was confirmed detained. Our coworkers in Yemen today tell us that the additional person who was detained yesterday was released today.”
Despite this release, the UN remains deeply alarmed by the continued detention of its personnel by the Houthi de facto authorities, some of whom have been held since 2021. The UN has also condemned the unlawful seizure of its offices and assets in Houthi-controlled areas.
Earlier this week, the situation worsened when nine more UN staff were detained, raising the total number of arbitrarily held personnel to 53.
UN Secretary-General Guterres issued a strong condemnation of the ongoing detentions and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained staff, humanitarian workers, and personnel from non-governmental organizations, civil society, and diplomatic missions operating in Yemen.
“These actions severely hamper the UN’s ability to operate effectively in Yemen and deliver life-saving aid to those most in need,” said Dujarric.
The Secretary-General emphasized that all UN personnel must be respected and protected in line with international law, and that the inviolability of UN offices and property must be upheld under the UN Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
“The United Nations will continue to work tirelessly, and through all available channels, to secure the safe and immediate release of all arbitrarily detained personnel, as well as the return of UN agency offices and other assets,” the statement added.
Despite these challenges, Guterres reaffirmed the UN’s ongoing commitment to supporting the people of Yemen in their pursuit of peace and stability.