A UN statement said the charges are fake and called for their staff’s immediate release and access to families and legal representatives. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the Human Rights Office, indicated that the whereabouts of captive staff are unknown to date.

The Houthi authorities have not allowed physical access to any of them, despite repeated requests, she said.

‘It is necessary to have due process, legal representation and evidence must be presented’ said the spokeswoman at a press conference from Geneva. The UN confirmed in June the detention of the six human rights officials along with seven others belonging to other UN agencies.

Four others have been held in solitary confinement by the de facto Yemeni authorities since 2021 and 2023, bringing to 17 the number of officials arbitrarily detained in the Middle Eastern nation.

The spokeswoman also warned of possible coercion against staff in reference to images posted on social media.

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