After lengthy negotiations between a number of nations, 12 UN staff members recently left Yemen and arrived home safely. The rebels holding them returned them to the UN. UN staff members took hostages in June of 2024. The members of the UN staff representing various UN agencies were hostages in the northern part of the country, which includes the capital, Sanaa. Negotiations for their release took place on several fronts.
The Houthis targeted the UN staff members as part of a society clampdown
Hostages were taken mainly in the northern part of Yemen, which includes Sanaa, the capital. All the UN staff members worked in various UN agencies. The rebels, squeezing the social sphere of the country, took staff members of the UN as part of their larger civil society clampdown. They saw the UN staff members as humanitarian workers and, in refuting the employed scenario, world nations criminalized and dealt with the claim in hostage action.
Newsday and The Canadian Press state that released staff members have exited Yemen and are safe in a third location. The UN did not share their names or where the staff members were released for security and privacy reasons. The UN has reiterated its safe return and stated its commitment so that all individuals remaining in Houthi custody are released.
The release was a positive step
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, through a spokesperson, appreciated the development and mentioned the release was a positive step. However, he underscored:
“The arbitrary detention of UN and humanitarian personnel is unacceptable in any circumstance.”
He emphasized that the Houthis should respect international humanitarian law and allow humanitarian workers to enter, interact with, and provide relief and assistance to the people there.
Each detention is part of a larger, abusive system of control used by the Houthis. The Houthis have, in recent times, focused much of their oppressive actions on NGOs, humanitarian relief workers, civil society, and the media.
Human rights advocates report a sharp increase in intimidation
There has been an increase in arrests, disappearances, and other forms of intimidation in an attempt to silence dissent, and human rights advocates have been warning about this increase.
These forms of intimidation and abuse attempt to consolidate power within a select few, and in doing so, greatly impact the already weak humanitarian relief efforts in a nation that is in the middle of one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world.
Yemen has been in the middle of a civil war for over 10 years, with the Iran-backed Houthis and the Saudi Arabia-backed government trying to reclaim and control the Houthis’ civil infrastructure. This result eventually turned over 21 million people to depend on humanitarian relief. It has also displaced millions of people and caused mass destruction to the civil infrastructure of the state. Citizen relief has been grossly inadequate.
The uncertainty around the Houthis’ peace talks
The Houthis, during peace talks, determined to answer the call and released a few dozen captives, including 12 UN workers. This raised questions, as, despite the controversy, they also captured humanitarian aid workers. Consequently, this gives the UN Security Council reasonable grounds to act.
This was also stated by a Human Rights Watch spokesperson:
“Aid workers’ security must always be met; the international community must end aid workers’ gaping wounds to counter attacks on humanitarian personnel.”
The Houthis, during peace talks, determined to answer the call and released the captives. This raised questions, as, despite the controversy, they also captured humanitarian aid workers. Consequently, this gives the UN Security Council reasonable grounds to act. This was also stated by a Human Rights Watch spokesperson.