Houthi militia refers UN staff for trial, raising concerns among international organizations about the implications.

The Iran-backed Houthi militia has referred several abducted United Nations employees to an illegitimate court known as the “Specialized Prosecution.” This court has relocated to areas that are no longer under Houthi control, raising serious concerns about the legal proceedings against these individuals.

In a joint statement, leaders from various UN entities and international non-governmental organizations voiced their deep concern regarding the Houthi’s actions. The statement, signed by heads and directors of ten UN organizations, was published on the website of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, and was made available to the press by the news outlet Al-Sahwa Net.

Urgent Call for Unconditional Release

The UN leaders reiterated their urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of all staff members detained by the Houthi militia in Yemen. They expressed their alarm over the reported referral of a significant number of colleagues, including three UN employees, to the “Specialized Prosecution.” Among these employees are two from UNESCO and one from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, all of whom were arrested between 2021 and 2023.

The joint statement conveyed, “We are deeply troubled by the news regarding the referral of our detained colleagues to the ‘Specialized Prosecution.’ The potential ‘charges’ against them are unacceptable and only prolong their detention, which has already lacked any communication.”

Concerns Over Safety and Humanitarian Access

The statement further highlighted serious concerns for the safety and security of the detained employees and their families. The leaders warned that this decision would severely hinder their ability to reach millions of people in Yemen who require humanitarian aid and protection services, negatively impacting their well-being and situation.

The UN and international NGOs, along with partners across various channels and with multiple governments, continue to work diligently to secure the release of these detained individuals.

Signatories of the Statement

The joint statement concluded with signatures from prominent figures, including:

1. Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
2. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
3. Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International
4. Amitabh Behar, CEO of Oxfam International
5. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO
6. Cindy Hensley McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP)
7. Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
8. Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF
9. Rintje van Heeringen, CEO of CARE Netherlands and Chair of the CARE International Executive Committee
10. Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen

This alarming situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones and the urgent need for international attention and action.

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