View of Yemen’s capital Sanaa. Yemen: Turk condemns takeover of UN Human Rights Office in Sanaa Human Rights
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has strongly condemned the storming of his office by the Houthis in the Yemeni capital Sanaa and reiterated 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 is completely incompatible with the privileges and immunities of the United Nations,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said, adding that the attack on his office undermines the organization’s ability to carry out its mandate, including to promote and protect human rights.
“Ansar Allah forces must leave the premises and immediately return all assets and property,” Türk demanded.
On 6 and 7 June, the Houthis detained 13 UN staff members, including six from the UN Human Rights Office, and more than 50 NGO staff. Two more UN Human Rights staff members were detained in November 2021 and August 2023, respectively. All those arrested are being held incommunicado.
Following these detentions and given the security situation, the High Commissioner decided to temporarily suspend the Office’s activities in Sana’a and other areas under Ansar Allah’s control. The Office continues to operate in other parts of Yemen.
On 3 August, the Houthis sent a “delegation” to the UN Human Rights Office in Sana’a. The rebels, who are the de facto authorities in the capital and northern Yemen, forced the Office’s staff to hand over items, including documents, furniture and vehicles, as well as office keys. Ansar Allah representatives still control the captured premises.
Read also:
Yemen: Houthis step up repression against humanitarian organizations
As noted by the Directorate, numerous calls for the release of the detained employees have not been heard.
“I once again call with a heavy heart for their immediate and unconditional release. We are doing everything possible to reunite them with their loved ones as soon as possible,” Türk said.
Videos have been published online in which one of the Houthi-detained Office employees appears to have been forced to confess to spying.
“All such allegations are baseless,” Türk stressed. “My Office has never engaged in any activity other than serving the people of Yemen in accordance with my mandate.”
The UN Human Rights Office in Yemen works to advance the rights of all Yemenis without exception, Türk said. This includes monitoring the impact of armed conflict and violence on civilians, including by documenting deaths, injuries and destruction of infrastructure. The Office’s work also focuses on promoting the rights of vulnerable groups such as women, children, persons with disabilities, older persons and minorities.
“It is imperative that the de facto authorities respect the United Nations and its independence, immediately release all detained UN staff and create conditions in which my Office and other UN agencies can continue their important work,” the High Commissioner concluded.