In a grave development, Yemeni authorities urgently face calls to investigate the death of a UN humanitarian worker from the World Food Programme (WFP), who was arbitrarily detained in a Huthi-run facility since 23 January 2025. The identity of the worker remains undisclosed, underscoring the opaque nature of these detentions. Amnesty International expresses profound concern, highlighting the need for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic loss of life.
Diala Haidar, Amnesty’s Yemen Researcher, emphasises the alarming precedent set by the Huthi authorities, known for employing torture and ill-treatment within their detention centres. With over 65 individuals from UN agencies still detained under similar circumstances, fears mount regarding their safety and treatment. This incident exemplifies the broader climate of repression faced by humanitarian workers in Yemen.
In a cruel escalation, starting from 31 May 2024, the Huthis embarked on a series of raids, detaining 13 UN staff and 50 personnel from various civil society organisations. The aftermath saw only a handful released, while many remain imprisoned without formal charges or communications with family or legal counsel. Such actions only serve to deepen the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where aid dependency is at an all-time high.
Amnesty International insists that the Huthi authorities must cease their trend of intimidation toward humanitarian workers and instead promote their essential role in delivering aid. The chilling climate created by these detentions threatens to undermine critical assistance efforts, leaving those in desperate need without support. By repressing workers who strive to aid vulnerable civilians, the Huthis risk aggravating the already dire humanitarian conditions across the nation.
Against this backdrop, the UN shifted its operations, suspending all official movements in Huthi-controlled areas, complicating the delivery of urgently needed aid. Past targeting of human rights and humanitarian personnel adds alarming context to these recent events, with notable figures detained and held incommunicado. This ongoing suppression of human rights workers compounds the urgent necessity for accountability and protection of those aiding Yemeni civilians.
Yemen faces urgent calls for an investigation into the death of a UN aid worker detained by Huthi authorities. Amnesty International highlights the risk of torture and the detention of many humanitarian staff within Huthi-run facilities. Recent raids further escalate the crisis, jeopardising aid delivery to a population reliant on assistance. The UN’s suspension of operations in affected areas complicates vital humanitarian efforts, while the safety of aid workers remains under threat.
The alarming death of a UN aid worker in Huthi custody casts a dark shadow over the already critical human rights and humanitarian landscape in Yemen. Calls for an independent investigation highlight the urgent need for accountability, while the ongoing detention of numerous humanitarian staff exacerbates the humanitarian crisis faced by millions. The international community must act to ensure the safety of those dedicated to providing aid and uphold fundamental human rights amidst turmoil.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
