The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called on the Houthis in Yemen to release "immediately and unconditionally" United Nations staff and other relief personnel, rejecting accusations that they are part of a spy network.
On Monday, the Houthis announced that individuals they detained last week are part of a "U.S.-Israeli espionage network," adding that the detainees acted "under the guise of international and UN organizations."
In a statement on Tuesday, Turk firmly rejected the "disgraceful allegations" against UN staff and expressed deep concern over the conditions of their detention.
Last week, the United Nations and relief organizations announced that the Iran-backed Houthis had arrested more than 10 relief workers, many of whom are UN employees, in what appeared to be a coordinated action.
The Houthis have not specified the number of people detained. However, Turk clarified that 13 UN staff members were held, six of whom are from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
He urged the Houthis, the de facto authority in Sana'a, to release them "immediately and unconditionally," as well as others detained due to their connection with the UN or other international NGOs supporting humanitarian activities.
He added, "It is very important that the de facto authorities ensure these detainees are treated with full respect for their human rights and dignity and allow them to contact their families. The UN must also be granted access to the detained colleagues as soon as possible."
Regarding those detained who are not UN staff, the Yemeni organization "Meyon" reported that 18 Yemenis working for relief organizations were kidnapped in four areas controlled by the Houthis in Yemen.
Human Rights Watch reports that the Houthis have abducted, arbitrarily detained, and tortured hundreds of civilians, including UN and NGO workers, since the conflict began in 2014.
Turk continued, "These recent arrests add to two other staff members from my office, one of whom has been detained since August 2023, and the other since November 2021. Both are isolated from the outside world without access to their place of detention or due process."
He noted that there are also two UNESCO staff members detained since prior to the recent arrests.
