UN Reports 73 Staff Detained by Houthis, Demands Immediate Release

The United Nations announced on Wednesday that 73 of its staff members remain arbitrarily detained by the Houthi group in Yemen, two years after a wave of arrests targeting dozens of individuals affiliated with the UN, relief organizations, and civil society. The UN reiterated its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees.

Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated that the Secretary-General "reiterates his condemnation of the detention of UN staff, NGO workers, civil society personnel, and diplomatic mission members by Houthi authorities," including arrest campaigns that occurred in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

The statement highlighted that one UN staff member died while in detention. Several detainees are reportedly held in complete isolation, denied contact with their families or the outside world, which the UN considers a clear violation of international law.

The UN emphasized that the continued detention of its personnel has caused significant suffering to their families and directly impacted the organization's and its partners' capacity to implement humanitarian and development programs, thereby hindering aid delivery to millions of Yemenis in need across the country.

The statement clarified that UN staff, including Yemeni nationals, are entitled to immunity from legal proceedings related to their official duties. It called for respect for these immunities and relevant international obligations.

The UN Secretary-General reaffirmed the importance of continued dialogue and engagement with Houthi authorities to secure the release of detainees and resume humanitarian and development activities. He stressed that humanitarian workers "should never be targeted or detained for carrying out their work."

The international organization affirmed its commitment to utilizing all available means to ensure the prompt and safe release of its detained staff. It reiterated its dedication to supporting the Yemeni people and their pursuit of a just and lasting peace.