The United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has accused the Iran-backed Houthi movement of undermining peace efforts in Yemen by continuing to detain UN staff and international organization workers.
His comments came during a briefing to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, where he also warned of Yemen being drawn deeper into the escalating military tensions in the Middle East.
Grundberg criticized the Houthis for their arbitrary detentions of UN employees, civil society workers, and members of diplomatic missions, stating that the recent move to refer some of them for so-called criminal prosecution was a major setback for collective peace-building efforts in Yemen.
These detentions, according to Grundberg, involve vague charges and lack fair legal procedures. He added that the actions were part of an effort to discredit humanitarian workers and foster an atmosphere of fear, further hampering humanitarian aid efforts and social cohesion.
Grundberg emphasized the vital role these workers play in addressing Yemen’s pressing humanitarian needs, calling for robust international support and protection for them.
The UN envoy urged the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained, including 17 UN staff members, and to cease the wave of arrests that are threatening to derail the political settlement and peace process in Yemen.
Additionally, Grundberg raised concerns about the Houthis’ repeated attacks on international shipping, warning that these actions significantly increase the risk of an environmental disaster in the Red Sea.
This escalation not only hinders the peace process but also raises broader regional concerns about security and stability in the Middle East.
