Source: UN News: Wednesday, 01 April 2026 00:01 AM
There has been a demand for the immediate release of 118 UN staff detained around the world, which is considered very important in the situation of increase in attacks against the UN. In the year 2025 alone, 179 UN personnel were arrested or detained. In Yemen alone, de facto Houthi authorities detained 73 United Nations staff, including the Human Rights OfficeOHCHR)’s eight employees are also included. Tweet URL
United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres ‘International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members’ In a statement issued on the occasion, it said that “no colleague has been forgotten” and urged Member States to follow international law to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian work. The United Nations maintains a presence in some of the most dangerous and unstable places in the world, including Gaza, Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). President Anna Elena Baerbock also said on Wednesday, “Any detention not only violates fundamental human rights, international law and privileges, it also undermines vital humanitarian efforts, delaying life-saving assistance reaching millions of people.” In Yemen, UN staff continue to face arbitrary arrests. UN human rights chief Volker Turk said that “it is now five years since some people have been deprived of their freedom.” “Every day, the injustice of their detention increases. The suffering of them and their families is unbearable.” These workers are being held in areas of the country that are under the control of Houthi authorities. Since 2014, Yemen has been battling a civil war between Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government. The High Commissioner for Human Rights called on the Yemeni authorities to immediately and unconditionally release 73 staff members. Volker Turk made clear that “United Nations personnel may, under no circumstances, be detained for carrying out their vital work on behalf of the Yemeni people, let alone charged with crimes.” “UN staff should never be targets… UN staff should never be targets… They dedicate their lives every day to support communities in grave crisis and to the principles of the United Nations,” General Assembly President Anna Elena Baerbock said in a video message marking the International Day. Volker Turk echoed the same message, paying tribute to the thousands of staff who work in difficult conditions, crises and conflicts to serve communities in need of assistance. ‘International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members’ marks the anniversary of the kidnapping of Alec Collett. Alec Collett was a former journalist who worked for the United Nations Palestine Refugee Agency (PRA).UNRWA) were working for. He was kidnapped by a gunman in 1985 and his body was found in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon in 2009. The purpose of this International Day is to strengthen resolve, accelerate action and demand justice to protect United Nations personnel, peacekeepers, non-governmental communities and press workers. In recent years, as attacks on the United Nations have intensified, the importance of this day has increased. According to Secretary-General António Guterres, “Today and every day, let us stand with those who serve humanity, and ensure they are safe and supported as they carry out their essential work.”
