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On August 3, the Houthis attacked the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the Yemeni capital Sanaa and “forcibly seized documents and property.” according to High Commissioner Volker Türk. The office remains occupied by the Houthis despite their appeals. OHCHR and Other Demand that the Houthis vacate the site and return all stolen assets.
The Houthis, an armed group that has controlled much of Yemen since May 31, have Arrested Staff from UN agencies, international organizations and local non-governmental organizations. As the Houthis have not disclosed the whereabouts of those arbitrarily detained, Human Rights Watch considers this to be enforced disappearance. Civil Society As of July 7, the Houthis have arrested more than 72 people, according to officials tracking the arrests. Those still detained include 13 UN staff membersincluding six OHCHR staff members. Since 2021, the Houthis have also arbitrarily detained two other OHCHR staff members and several former U.S. Embassy staff members in Sana’a. They are still detained.
The Houthi crackdown on UN agencies and civil society offices comes at a time when Yemen is facing multiple catastrophic crises and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. More than half of Yemen’s population lacks Enough opportunities Food and water. Houthi resistance to aid has also intensified Cholera outbreakOver the past few months, the outbreak has resulted in at least 95,000 suspected cases and at least 258 deaths. flood In Houthi-controlled areas, the conflict has left dozens dead, hundreds injured, homes and infrastructure damaged, and thousands displaced.
The Turk in his statement On August 13, he said that the closure of the UN office in the European Union was “a serious violation of the UN’s ability to perform its duties, including its responsibility to promote and protect human rights.”
The Houthis should immediately withdraw from the OHCHR compound, unconditionally release all United Nations and civil society staff, and return all assets and property. As the de facto government in Yemen, the Houthis should fully implement their obligation in accordance with international human rights law and provide life-saving services to people in areas under their control.
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