UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has strongly condemned the storming of his Office’s representation in Sana’a by the Ansar Allah de facto authorities and renewed his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN staff detained in Yemen.
“Entering a UN office without permission and seizing documents and property by force are wholly inconsistent with the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. This is also a serious attack on the ability of the UN to perform its mandate, including with respect to the promotion and protection of human rights, which our Office is there to defend,” UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told the biweekly UN press briefing in Geneva.
On 3 August 2024, Ansar Allah de facto authorities sent a “delegation” to the premises of the UN Human Rights Office in Sana’a that forced national staff to hand over belongings, including documents, furniture and vehicles, in addition to the office’s keys. Shamdasani said that they were still in control of the premises.
On 6 and 7 June, the de facto authorities detained 13 UN staff, including six employees of the UN Human Rights Office, in addition to over 50 NGO workers and an embassy staff member. Two other UN Human Rights staff had already been detained since November 2021 and August 2023 respectively, in addition to two other UN staff detained previously. They are all being held incommunicado.
Shamdasani said that multiple calls for the release of the detained staff – from the High Commissioner and other high-level officials – have not been heeded.
“We regret that all our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. We appeal again, with a heavy heart, for their immediate and unconditional release,” Shamdasani said.
“We are doing all we can to make sure they are united with their loved ones as soon as possible. Until then, the de facto authorities must ensure they are treated with full respect for their human rights, and that they are able to contact their families and legal representatives,” Shamdasani told reporters.
“It is crucial that the de facto authorities respect the United Nations and its independence, release all detained UN staff immediately, and create conditions in which our Office and other UN agencies can continue their critical work for people of Yemen without threats or hinderance.” UNNewsroom
