UN personnel, including those who are nationals of Yemen, are immune from legal process in respect of all acts performed by them in their official capacity, said a statement by the UN. [Getty]
UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his condemnation of the detention of UN and other personnel by the Houthis in Yemen and called for their immediate and unconditional release, his deputy spokesman said on Wednesday.
Seventy-three UN personnel remain arbitrarily detained; one UN staff member has died in detention; and some colleagues are being held incommunicado, said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman, in a statement to mark two years of Houthis’ detention of personnel from the United Nations, nongovernmental organisations, civil society organisations, and diplomatic missions.
“These actions violate international law, cause deep suffering to families, and have severely constrained the ability of the United Nations and its partners to assist millions of people in need across Yemen,” said the statement.
“UN personnel, including those who are nationals of Yemen, are immune from legal process in respect of all acts performed by them in their official capacity,” it said.
Guterres underscores the importance of continued dialogue and engagement with the Houthis to secure the release of detained personnel and enable the resumption of humanitarian and development activities. The United Nations will continue to pursue all possible avenues to secure their immediate and safe release, the statement said.
The secretary-general remains steadfast in the United Nations’ commitment to supporting the people of Yemen and their aspirations for a just and lasting peace, it added.
