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1h ago

UN Chief Demands Houthis Drop Court Referrals, Free Detained Staff

The UN says the detentions violate staff immunities, breaching international law.

FILE - Workers use heavy machinery to clear rubble from buildings destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman, File)
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks with Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni during the Reuters NEXT conference, in New York City, New York, U.S., December 3, 2025. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
Relations between the Iran-backed Houthis and international organisations have deteriorated sharply in recent years. EPA

Overview

  • There are 59 detained UN personnel, all Yemeni nationals, alongside dozens from NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions, according to the UN.
  • UN officials say some detainees have been referred to the Houthis’ Special Criminal Court in Sanaa, with court procedures reported to be underway.
  • A Houthi-run court in late November convicted 17 people of spying and announced death sentences, though a lawyer said the rulings can be appealed.
  • UN human rights chief Volker Türk says one of his staff detained since 2021 was brought before the Special Criminal Court on fabricated charges linked to official work.
  • The UN reports incommunicado detention, isolation and alleged mistreatment of staff, and says it is engaging the Houthis as well as Iran, Saudi Arabia and Oman to secure releases.