Jeremy Lawrence, spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed deep concern regarding the safety of UN personnel and NGO workers currently held by the Houthi group in Yemen. He urged for their immediate and unconditional release.
According to the United Nations Media Center, as of Wednesday, thirteen UN staff members along with several NGO workers have been detained for over a month by the Houthi group in Yemen. This situation adds to the two other UN colleagues previously detained in November 2021 and August 2023.
The spokesperson called for the immediate release of these individuals without any restrictions. He also urged countries and entities with influence over the Houthi group to use their leverage to ensure the safe and prompt release of all detained UN and NGO workers.
The security situation in Yemen has been precarious with recent developments further complicating peace efforts. The UN has expressed significant concern regarding the detention of its staff and NGO workers by the Houthi group, emphasizing the need for their immediate and unconditional release. The conflict, which has persisted since 2015, has seen intermittent phases of stability and escalation, with a current risk of returning to all-out war if escalations continue.
The economic conditions have worsened, particularly with stringent banking directives and the potential exclusion of Houthi-controlled areas from the international SWIFT banking system. These measures are expected to exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis by affecting food imports and remittances that many families depend on.
Recent regional escalations in the Red Sea, highlighted by attacks and military actions, threaten the peace process and have prompted redirection of shipping routes, impacting both local and international economies. Furthermore, there’s an ongoing emphasis on the need for a durable nationwide ceasefire and a regional de-escalation to aid the peace process
