UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres hascalled for the immediate releaseof the 118 UN staff currently detained worldwide as attacks against the United Nations increase with 179 personnel arrested or detained last year alone.
The figure marks a significant increase from the 52 UN staff in detentionthis time last year. In Yemen alone,73 UN staff remain detainedby the Houthi authorities, including eight from the UNs human rights office.
In a statement marking theInternational Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, the UN chief saidno colleague is forgottenand urged Member States to uphold international law to ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian work.
The UN has a presence on the ground in some of the worlds most dangerous and unstable locations including Gaza, Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Any detention not only violates fundamental human rights, international law and immunities, it also undermines vital humanitarian efforts,delaying lifesaving assistance to millions of people, said the President of the General-Assembly, Ms. Annalena Baerbock.
Majority detained in Yemen
In Yemen, UN staff continue to face arbitrary arrests whilst some have beendeprived of their liberty for five years now, the Human Rights chief, Volker Trk, said.
Every day, the injustice of their detention is compounded.Their suffering, and that of their families, is intolerable, he added.
The staffers are being held in areas of the country under the control of the Houthi authorities. Since 2014, Yemen has been in a civil conflict between Houthi militants and the internationally-recognized Government.
The Human Rights High Commissioner called on the authorities in Yemen to releaseimmediately and unconditionallythe 73 UN staff.
Under no circumstances can UN personnel be detained, much less charged with crimes, for undertaking their vital work on behalf of the Yemeni people, Mr. Trk said.
UN staff should never be targeted
In a video address to mark the International Day, Ms Baerbock said UN staff should never be a target...they are giving their lives, every day, to support communities in dire need and for the principles of the United Nations.
Echoing these calls, Mr. Trk paid tribute to the thousands of UN staff who work in the most difficult situations, in crises and conflicts, to serve communities in need of support.
Solidarity and justice
TheInternational Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Membersmarks the anniversary of the abduction of Alec Collett, a former journalist working for the UN Palestine refugee agency,UNRWA, who was abducted by a gunman in 1985. His body was found in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley in 2009.
The aim of the international day is to mobilise action, demand justice and strengthen the resolve to protect UN staff and peacekeepers, as well as workers in the non-governmental community and the press. In recent years, the day has taken on even greater importance as attacks against the United Nations intensify.
Today and every day,lets stand with those who serve humanity, and ensure they are protected and supported as they carry out their essential work, Mr. Guterres said.
