The workers were being held incommunicado by the Yemeni government, which holds the capital and much of the war-torn country, officially known as Ansar Allah.
Better known as the Houthis, they have been fighting for control of all of Yemen against a coalition of pro-government forces since 2015.
“We continue to be denied access to them.“We are also particularly concerned about the situation of two other UN staff who have been in prolonged detention, one since November 2021 and the other since August 2023,” he told reporters in Geneva.
He stressed that the United Nations “categorically” rejects the shocking and false allegations being made publicly against its detained staff.
The OHCHR spokesperson called on states and other parties with influence over the Houthis to help ensure the safe and prompt release of all detainees.
Respect human rights
“It is important that the authorities ensure that detainees are treated with full respect for their human rights and that they are able to contact their families and legal representatives,” Mr Laurence stressed, expressing concern about the living conditions they face while in detention.
He added that any actions targeting human rights and humanitarian workers in Yemen must end immediately.
Thirteen UN staff were arrested in June. Four other UN staff have been detained by the de facto government and held incommunicado since 2021 and 2023, without access to their families or their respective organizations and agencies.
Relevant agencies
As if Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESGY)
The four employees detained before the latest arrests worked for the United Nations educational, scientific and cultural agency, it said in June. UNESCOand the United Nations Human Rights Office, OHCHR.
The 13 UN staff arrested included six working for the OHCHR human rights office and one from the Office of the Special Envoy for Yemen (OSESGY), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World food program (World food program), World Health Organization (WHO) and two awards from UNESCO.
