UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the continued detention of UN staff and partner personnel by Houthi authorities in Yemen, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.
Speaking to reporters following a briefing to the UN Security Council, Guterres highlighted that 59 UN and partner personnel, along with staff from NGOs, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions, remain arbitrarily held.
“In recent days, Houthi de facto authorities referred three UN personnel to a special criminal court,” he said. “These charges, related solely to the performance of their UN duties, must be dropped immediately, and the referral rescinded.”
Guterres described the detentions as a “profound injustice” against those dedicated to supporting the Yemeni people.
“The United Nations and its partners must never be targeted, arrested, or detained in connection with their official duties. We must be allowed to perform our work without interference,” he stressed.
The UN chief also warned of rising tensions in Yemen, particularly in the eastern governorates, noting that a full resumption of hostilities could have serious regional implications, including threats to peace and security in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Horn of Africa.
He called on all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and resolve differences through dialogue.
“Yemen needs a sustainable, negotiated political settlement — one that embraces the aspirations of all Yemenis and brings this devastating conflict to an end. Until then, the Yemeni people will continue to pay a terrible price,” Guterres concluded.
Tags
News