Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has strongly condemned the arbitrary detentions that targeted at least 11 UN staff members on Sunday (August 31) by the de facto Houthi authorities in areas under their control in Yemen.
Guterres also condemned the storming of the WFP buildings and the seizure of UN property, as well as attempts to break into other UN buildings in Sana’a. In a statement issued on Sunday, he said that this “continued pattern of arbitrary arrests is unacceptable.”
He reiterated his strong demand for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained today, as well as all UN staff, international and national non-governmental organization (NGO) workers, civil society organizations, and diplomatic mission staff who have been arbitrarily detained since June 2024, and those who have remained in detention since 2021 and 2023. He stressed that their continued arbitrary detention “cannot be accepted.”
The Secretary-General emphasized that UN staff and their partners should never be targeted or subjected to arrest or detention while carrying out their responsibilities for the UN. He also stated that the safety and security of UN staff and property, as well as the inviolability of UN premises, must be guaranteed at all times.
He said that the UN will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the immediate and safe release of all those who have been arbitrarily detained. The UN and its partners will also continue to stand with the Yemeni people in their aspirations for a lasting peace.
