Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, made a disturbing move on 3 August when they sent a delegation to the UN human rights office in the Yemeni capital. The national staff at the office were forced to hand over documents, furniture, vehicles, and even the keys to the office. The Houthis have since maintained control of the premises, creating a tense situation for the UN staff.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned this action as a “serious attack” on the UN. He demanded that Ansar Allah forces vacate the premises immediately and return all seized assets and belongings. Türk emphasized that entering a UN office without permission and seizing property by force goes against the Privileges and Immunities of the Organization. This brazen act undermines the UN’s ability to carry out its mandate, particularly in promoting and protecting human rights.
The conflict in Yemen between Ansar Allah and the Yemeni Government forces, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, has been ongoing for nearly a decade. The situation escalated following the outbreak of war in Gaza, with rebels launching attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. In addition to seizing the UN human rights office, the de facto authorities detained over 60 individuals working with the UN and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in early June. Among the detainees were 13 UN staff, including six from the human rights office, over 50 NGO workers, and an embassy staff member. Two other UN human rights staff had been previously detained and are still being held incommunicado.
Despite repeated calls from top UN officials for the release of the detained individuals, including the 13 UN staff members, the appeals have been ignored. High Commissioner Türk expressed his dismay over the situation, urging for the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees. He emphasized the importance of respecting the human rights of those held captive and ensuring they have access to their families and legal representation.
The allegations made against the UN staff members, including espionage, were deemed baseless by Türk. He reiterated that the Office’s activities in Yemen were solely aimed at serving the people in accordance with its mandate. In light of the detentions and the security risks involved, the High Commissioner decided to temporarily suspend the Office’s operations in Sana’a and other areas under Ansar Allah’s control, while maintaining operations in other parts of Yemen.
The UN Human Rights Office in Yemen plays a crucial role in promoting the rights of all citizens, regardless of their affiliations. The office monitors the impact of armed conflict and violence on civilians, striving to uphold human rights standards in the region. The recent actions by Ansar Allah have not only disrupted the UN’s work in Yemen but have also raised concerns about the safety and well-being of the individuals detained.
As the situation unfolds, the international community is closely watching the developments in Yemen, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and the safe return of the detained individuals. The UN continues to call for respect for human rights, the rule of law, and the protection of civilians in Yemen, as it strives to fulfill its mandate in promoting peace and security in the region.
