Sana’a. Photo source OHCHR
Sana’a/Geneva/Washington: The Ansar Allah de facto authorities also known as the Houthi rebels continue to be in control of the United Nations Human Rights office in the Yemeni capital Sana’a ever since they entered the premises on August 3, 2024.
On August 3, a “delegation” of the Ansar Allah de facto authorities entered the UN Human Rights office and forced national staff to hand over belongings, including documents, furniture and vehicles, in addition to the office’s keys.
“They are still in control of the premises,” UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said in Geneva today and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN staff detained in Yemen.
One of the two staff detained earlier by Ansar Allah had appeared in videos published online, in which he was forced to confess to allegations, including of espionage, in a clear violation of his basic human rights protected under international law.
“All such claims are baseless,” Türk stressed. “At no time has my Office engaged in any activities other than those in the service of the people of Yemen, in accordance with my mandate,” he claimed.
On June 6 and 7, 2024, 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. They are all being held incommunicado, Türk said.
In the wake of these detentions in June and given the security situation, the High Commissioner temporarily suspended the Office’s operations in Sana’a and other areas under Ansar Allah’s control. The Office, however, continues to operate in other parts of Yemen.
“Ansar Allah forces must leave the premises and return all assets and belongings immediately,” Türk demanded and “strongly” condemned the storming of his Office’s representation in Sana’a by the Ansar Allah de facto authorities.
“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 my Office is there to defend,” the High Commissioner said.
The Houthi rebels have thus far not heeded the multiple calls from the High Commissioner and other high-level officials for the release of the detained staff
“I regret that all our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” Türk said. “I appeal again, with a heavy heart, for their immediate and unconditional release. 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,” he added.
Türk said the UN Human Rights Office in Yemen works to promote the human rights of all Yemenis without distinction. This has included monitoring the impact of armed conflict and violence on civilians – irrespective of the parties that may be responsible – including by documenting deaths, injuries, destruction of essential infrastructure and the capacity of the Yemeni people to earn their livelihoods. The Office’s work also focuses on promoting the rights of vulnerable groups, like women, children, people with disabilities, older people and minorities.
“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 my Office and other UN agencies can continue their critical work for the people of Yemen without threats or hindrance,” the High Commissioner said.
Meanwhile, the United States of America said that it is “regularly conducting airstrikes to degrade Houthi capabilities, an effort that is ongoing and will continue together with a coalition of partners”. The US State Department accused the Houthis of using terror to advance its agenda, including through the targeting of civilian shipping in the Red Sea.
– global bihari bureau
