One of my colleagues, who has been arbitrarily detained by the de facto authorities in Yemen since November 2021, has been presented before the so-called "Special Criminal Court" in Yemen on fabricated charges of espionage connected to his work. This is totally unacceptable and a grave human rights violation.
Our colleagues, along with dozens of other UN and humanitarian staff, have been detained while bravely carrying out their work assisting the people of Yemen, and held in intolerable conditions ever since. We have also received very concerning reports of mistreatment of numerous staff in detention.
Their suffering, and that of their families, has gone on far too long. Their safety and well-being are at grave risk.
I urge the Ansar Allah authorities in Yemen to release them immediately and unconditionally, to respect the privileges and immunities of the UN and its staff, and to facilitate our humanitarian and life-saving work in support of the Yemeni people and their human rights.
