The recent seizure of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) office in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, by armed Houthi militants has sparked widespread international condemnation.
The militants reportedly expelled local staff and confiscated the office’s contents, actions that are seen as a severe impediment to the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people.
The United States strongly condemned the Houthi takeover of the UNHCR office, calling it a violation of international standards. Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, stated that the storming and seizure of the UNHCR office in Sana’a by the Houthis demonstrates their disregard for even the most basic international practices.
Patel emphasized that this incident is part of a broader pattern of aggressive behavior by the Houthis, which includes the detention of UN staff, international organization employees, and diplomats who are working to assist the Yemeni population.
He warned that such violations would further obstruct the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to Yemenis, who have already suffered through a prolonged crisis.
The US reaffirmed its commitment to supporting a negotiated peace process in Yemen under the auspices of the United Nations, while also backing the work of the UNHCR and other agencies providing relief to the Yemeni people.
Patel reiterated that a sustainable solution to the conflict in Yemen remains out of reach as long as the Houthis continue their aggressive actions, including attacks on international ships and threats to neighboring countries and the Yemeni populace.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk had also strongly condemned the Houthi raid on his office in Sana’a on August 3.
He called for the immediate withdrawal of the Houthis from the premises and the return of all seized assets. Türk also renewed his call for the unconditional release of all detained UN employees in Yemen.
The United Kingdom similarly condemned the Houthi actions, with Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer urging the group to allow the UN and all NGOs to continue their vital work for the Yemeni people and to release all detained staff immediately.
The European Union described the Houthi seizure of the UNHCR office as another escalation, following a series of recent abductions targeting UN staff and workers from international and local organizations.
The EU stressed the importance of maintaining the UNHCR’s presence on the ground to monitor human rights and voiced its support for Volker Türk’s call for the Houthis to return the confiscated offices and equipment.
