The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) called for the immediate release of its employees kidnapped by the Houthi authorities in Yemen.

The United Nations said in a statement that this “arbitrary detention” practiced by the Houthi group “is an unacceptable violation of the status granted to United Nations employees under international law.”

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, renewed her call for “the immediate and unconditional release of her staff who are illegally detained by the commanding authority.”

The Houthis kidnapped four UNESCO employees, the first since 2021, the second since 2023, and two more in June 2024, as well as approximately 50 employees from the United Nations, international and local non-governmental organizations, civil society, and diplomatic missions.