Geneva – United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has renewed his urgent appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of UN personnel and humanitarian and human rights workers held by Houthi militias in Yemen, stressing that their continued detention has no legal basis.

In a statement posted on his official account on X, Türk revealed that one of his colleagues has remained abducted since November 2021 and has suffered serious violations during his captivity. 

He emphasized that the arrest was solely linked to the individual’s human rights work, not to any legal wrongdoing.

The UN rights chief further noted that several other staff members have been subjected to arbitrary detention for years, facing mistreatment and fabricated charges of espionage. 

He underscored that these accusations are directly tied to their professional and humanitarian activities, rather than any legitimate offenses.

Türk reiterated that the prolonged detention of UN and humanitarian workers undermines international law and called on the Houthis to respect their obligations and release all detainees without delay.