UN chief again condemns Houthi detention of UN workers in Yemen, demands immediate release
NEW YORK CITY: The UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, once again condemned the arbitrary detention by the Houthis in Yemen of dozens of UN personnel, as well as humanitarian workers, representatives of civil society and diplomatic staff, and called for their immediate and unconditional release.
Guterres denounced a campaign of imprisonment that began in June 2024, and reiterated his concerns over similar arrests that took place in 2025, 2023 and 2021. The continuing detention of aid workers and UN employees violates international law and undermines critical humanitarian operations across the country, he said.
A total of 73 UN workers remain in detention. One employee died in custody, and several continue to be held without any communication with their families or colleagues.
“The secretary-general stands in solidarity with those detained and their families,” said Farhan Haq, a spokesperson for Guterres. Humanitarian workers must never be targeted or imprisoned for carrying out their duties, he added.
