United Nations Secretary-General Anthony Guterres renewed his call for the immediate release of the UN employees kidnapped by the Houthi group, stressing that the arrests “severely hinder efforts to help millions of people in need.”

Stephen Dujarric said in a statement that Guterres renewed his call for the immediate and unconditional release of humanitarian workers who were arbitrarily detained by the Houthis.

He indicated that six months have passed since the detention of more than 50 employees from the United Nations, international and national non-governmental organizations, civil society, and diplomatic missions, in addition to four United Nations employees who have been detained since 2021 and 2023.

Guterres considered the continued arbitrary detention of dozens of other employees to be unacceptable and a violation of international law, pointing to the recent release of a United Nations employee and two workers in non-governmental organizations by the Houthi group.

He explained that detention and arrest threaten the safety of humanitarian workers and seriously hinder efforts to help millions of people in need, and these actions are incompatible with real participation in peace efforts.

He pointed out that the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and other relevant international partners are working through all possible channels and authorities to ensure the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained.