Human Rights Watch (HRW ) on Monday condemned arbitrary detainment of UN personnel by Houthi rebels in Sanaa saying that the latest detentions of at least 19 UN workers add to the growing number of 65 UN staff members and other civil society workers who remain arbitrarily detained.
On August 31, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned Houthi actions and demanded for the unconditional release of all UN personnel. Guterres also denounced Houthi forces for allegedly entering WFP premises and attempting to raid other UN locations in Sana’a, the nation’s capital.
Many detainees are not charged with specific crimes and have not been granted access to lawyers or family members. One Yemeni World Food Programme (WFP) worker died in Houthi detention on January 23 under unclear circumstances, leading to fears for the well-being of all others who remain detained.
Niku Jafarnia, Bahrain and Yemen Researcher, Middle East and North Africa Division of HRW stressed how the arbitrary detainments ultimately harm Yemeni civilians, stating:
At a time when the majority of people in Yemen do not have access to adequate food and water, the Houthis’ arrests of UN staff are not only disastrous for those detained and their families but also for the broader Yemeni population that relies on the UN and other organizations for much-needed aid.
Detaining UN personnel engaged in humanitarian relief work violates international laws of armed conflict. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, humanitarian relief personnel and objects are entitled to protection and respect. Parties to an armed conflict have obligations to facilitate civilian access to humanitarian relief, including food and other essentials. Authorized humanitarian relief personnel must also be allowed freedom of movement to carry out this function.