LONDON: The detention of UN staff, NGO workers, civil society members and former diplomatic mission staff in Yemen by Houthi forces was condemned by an international coalition on Friday.
Representatives from the US, UK, Germany, Sweden, France, the Netherlands and the internationally recognized government in Yemen met earlier this week and issued a joint statement on Friday expressing strong concern over the safety of these individuals and called for their immediate release.
They underscored the necessity for all staff to be able to perform their duties without fear of arbitrary detention or intimidation.
The group urged the international community to explore all possible diplomatic channels to negotiate the release of current detainees. The Houthis, they insisted, must adhere to international norms that ensure the safety of diplomatic, humanitarian and civil society personnel.
“The detentions of these individuals are unacceptable, and we cannot continue with business as usual while such risks to life and freedom exist,” the coalition said in the statement.
The representatives emphasized that continuing operations in Houthi-controlled areas poses significant threats to the safety of personnel working on the ground, hindering efforts to provide critical assistance to those most in need across Yemen.
“As a result of the detentions, we support the UN in its decision to minimize the exposure of staff to risk in Houthi-controlled territories,” the statement said.
“We welcome the UN decision to suspend all non-life saving and non-life sustaining activities in Houthi-controlled areas and call on the international community to redirect such assistance to elsewhere in the country,” it added.
The representatives expressed deep concern for the welfare and dignity of Yemen’s population, emphasizing their commitment to supporting the country’s well-being despite the challenges posed by the current situation.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to Yemen’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, standing firmly by the Yemeni people in their time of need.
“Our commitment to Yemen remains strong, and we will continue to pursue all means to alleviate the suffering of its people,” the statement said.
The detentions, widely condemned by the international community, have drawn attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen with millions of people in desperate need of assistance.
