The de facto Houthi authorities in Yemen are being urged to release dozens of United Nations staff and members of Yemeni and international civil society organizations who have been detained over the past year. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch called for their immediate and unconditional release, highlighting that these arrests impact the delivery of crucial aid.
Starting May 31, 2024, the Houthis conducted raids in areas under their control, detaining 13 UN staff members and at least 50 from civil society organizations. In January 2025, another eight UN staff were detained, prompting the UN to suspend official movements in Houthi-controlled regions.
Diala Haidar, a Yemen researcher at Amnesty International, commented on the situation: “It is shocking that most of these UN and civil society staff have now spent almost a year in arbitrary detention for simply doing their work in providing medical and food assistance or promoting human rights, peace, and dialogue.” Haidar emphasized that they should never have been arrested.
The Houthis have released only seven individuals so far: one UN staff member, five NGO workers, and one diplomatic mission staffer. At least 50 others remain detained without adequate access to legal counsel or family contact.
Concerns for detainees’ safety intensified after an aid worker from the World Food Programme died in custody on February 11. The incident has raised fears about the well-being of those still held by Houthi forces.
In response to ongoing detentions, including six humanitarian workers held since January in Saada, the UN announced a suspension of its activities there on February 10. These arrests are part of broader restrictions on civic space within Houthi-controlled areas. A media campaign led by the Houthis has accused humanitarian groups of conspiring against national interests.
Amnesty International has documented numerous cases where Houthi authorities used espionage charges to suppress dissent since 2015. Local and international NGOs play vital roles amid funding cuts threatening millions’ health and rights across Yemen.
Past incidents include four Yemeni employees from UNESCO and OHCHR being held since their arrests in 2021 and 2023 without communication. In September 2023, Save the Children’s safety director was also detained; he died while incarcerated in October.
Niku Jafarnia from Human Rights Watch stressed: “The Houthis need to facilitate the work of humanitarian workers and the movement of aid.” Jafarnia urged countries with influence alongside international bodies to advocate for detainees’ release using available resources.
