Human Rights Watch: Houthi Arrests of UN Staff Threaten Vital Aid to Yemenis

Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:

Human Rights Watch stated on Monday that the arrest of at least 19 UN staff members by Houthi forces on August 31, as part of a campaign that has expanded since the beginning of the year, warns of a new collapse in the humanitarian mechanisms that millions of Yemenis depend on to survive.

The arrests were made during raids on UN offices in areas under the group’s control, a move considered one of the most dangerous escalations against international organizations operating in Yemen.

A source familiar with the matter told Human Rights Watch that the actual number of detainees might exceed official estimates, noting that some employees were held inside the UN offices themselves and interrogated for several days without any possibility of communicating with the outside world or with lawyers. The group has not provided any tangible evidence for the espionage charges leveled against them, despite most of them working in fields that assist the poorest and rehabilitate damaged areas.

These arrests follow Israeli attacks that targeted the capital, Sanaa, on August 28, resulting in the death of Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and a number of ministers. This sparked international controversy over the legality of the escalation, especially since there was no evidence that the victims were directly participating in hostilities, according to the provisions of international humanitarian law.

The organization pointed out that the group used the event as a pretext to justify a repressive escalation against civilians, including humanitarian organization staff, whom they accused of “spying” despite their long history of providing humanitarian support without any conflict with Houthi interests.

A previous round of arrests in January 2024 sparked an overwhelming international response, leading the UN to announce in February a complete suspension of its activities in Sa’dah Governorate, where dozens of its employees are being held. This decision confirms the impact of the arrests on the organizations’ ability to reach those in need, especially in light of the worsening humanitarian situation in the country.

While the majority of Yemen’s population suffers from a severe shortage of food, water, and treatment, the disruption of aid organizations’ work is a direct threat to the lives of millions of people, especially in besieged or conflict-ridden areas. Humanitarian organizations warn that any further deterioration in the flow of aid could lead to an irreversible humanitarian catastrophe.

Human Rights Watch stressed that civilians are the real victims in this crisis, as they continue to bear the brunt of a war that has lasted for more than ten years, while the warring parties continue to restrict their freedoms and undermine relief efforts. The organization called on the international community to intervene immediately to ensure the release of all detainees and guarantee the freedom of humanitarian organizations to operate without political or repressive interference.