In one joint statementthe Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Yementhe heads of UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, WFP, WHO And OHCHRand the heads of the INGOs OXFAM International, Save the Children International and CARE International expressed deep concern about the situation.
“At a time when we were hoping for the release of our colleagues, we are deeply saddened by this reported development. The possible filing of ‘charges’ against our colleagues is unacceptable and exacerbates the prolonged incommunicado detention they have already endured,” they said.
The group stressed that the reported reference to “criminal charges” raised further serious concerns about the safety and security of their staff, as well as that of their families.
Six OHCHR employees – one woman and five men – were arbitrarily arrested by the de facto authorities in June along with seven other UN personnel. Another two OHCHR staffers and two colleagues from other UN agencies have been held “incommunicado” since 2021 and 2023, respectively.
In addition, dozens of employees of international and national NGOs, civil society organizations and diplomatic missions have also been arbitrarily detained.
The attacks on aid workers must stop
They warned that such a move would further hamper their ability to provide crucial humanitarian aid to millions of Yemenis in need.
“The targeting of humanitarian workers in Yemen – including arbitrary detention, intimidation, abuse and false accusations – must stop, and all detainees must be released immediately,” they stressed.
The statement added that the United Nations, INGOs and partners are working through “all possible channels” and with multiple governments to achieve the swift release of the detainees.
Serious humanitarian crisis
Yemen remains one of the most challenging humanitarian crises in the world. Years of conflict have left more than half of the population in need of international aid and protection.
An estimated 17.6 million people begin severe hunger, including 2.4 million children under the age of five and 1.2 million pregnant and lactating women who are acutely malnourished.
Outbreaks of deadly diseases such as cholera, along with deteriorating health, water and sanitation, and frequent disasters, have further complicated the crisis.
