United Nations

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the arbitrary detention of 10 additional UN staff members by the Houthi group on December 18, taking the total number of detained UN personnel to 69.

In a statement, UN Secretary-General’s Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the detentions have made the delivery of UN humanitarian assistance in areas under Houthi control unsustainable, directly affecting millions of people in need and severely limiting access to life-saving aid.

Dujarric said the Secretary-General has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained personnel belonging to the United Nations, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups and diplomatic missions.

Guterres also urged the Houthis to revoke the referral of UN staff for prosecution and stressed the importance of respecting international law, including the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and its personnel.

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“These protections are essential to enabling humanitarian operations in a safe, independent and principled environment,” the statement said.