Houthi militias forcefully seize UN human rights office in Sana'a

The United Nations announced on Tuesday that Houthi militias stormed and forcibly seized the human rights office in the capital, Sanaa, earlier this month, demanding that they leave the building and return all assets immediately.

“Entering a UN office without authorization and forcibly seizing documents and property are in complete contravention of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk in a statement published on the UN website.

He added that this also constitutes a serious assault on the ability of the United Nations to exercise its mandate, including with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights, which his office defends. He said: “Ansar Allah forces must leave the building immediately and return all assets and property.”

The statement said that "the de facto authorities of Ansar Allah sent a 'delegation' on August 3 to the office of the Human Rights Commission in Sana'a, forcing local employees to hand over their property, including documents, furniture and vehicles, as well as the keys to the office."

He explained that on June 6 and 7, the de facto authorities detained thirteen UN employees, including six who work for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in addition to more than 50 workers in various non-governmental organizations and a person working in an embassy.

The de facto authorities have also detained two other UNHCR staff members since November 2021 and August 2023. All are being held in solitary confinement and denied contact.

The statement explained that "following the June arrests, and given the security situation, the High Commissioner decided to temporarily suspend the office's operations in Sana'a and other areas under the control of Ansar Allah, while the Commission continues its work in other areas of Yemen."

The UN official renewed his call for the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees, stressing that everything possible will be done to reunite them with their loved ones as soon as possible, stressing the need for the de facto authorities to ensure that they are treated with full respect for human rights, and that they are able to contact their families and legal representatives.

"One of the two employees who was previously detained by the Ansar Allah group appeared in videos posted online, where he was forced to make confessions about allegations including espionage, in a clear violation of basic human rights protected under international law," the statement said.

“There is no truth to all these allegations,” the High Commissioner for Human Rights said. “At no time has my Office engaged in any activities other than those in the interests of the Yemeni people, and in accordance with my mandate.”