By Blessing Chinagorom
The United States and European Union Commission have condemned the Houthi seizure of Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) headquarters in Sana’a, Yemen.
In a separate statement on Wednesday, the United States through the State Department Deputy Spokesman, Vedant Patel stated that the storming and takeover of the OHCHR headquarters in Sana’a by Houthi militants violates international norms.
The US said it further demonstrates that the Houthis have no respect for the most basic international practices, adding that this is just one more step in an aggressive series of Houthi actions including detentions of UN, international organization.
“And diplomatic personnel working to help the Yemeni people”, the US noted that these actions will further obstruct the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Yemenis who have endured crisis conditions for far too long.
“But there can be no sustainable solution to Yemen’s conflict as long as the Houthis insist on attacking international ships and threatening their neighbors and the Yemeni people”, the United States concluded.
Also, the European Union Spokesman in a statement on Wednesday said The storming by the Houthis of the local Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Sanaa constitutes yet another escalation.
Following the wave of detentions by the Houthis of personnel of the United Nations, international and national non-governmental organisations (INGOs), and diplomatic missions in Yemen more than two months ago.
The EU fully endorsed the call by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, to the Houthis to respect the Privileges and Immunities granted to the United Nations, and return the premises, and the equipment seized.
The Commission stated that it is of fundamental importance to maintain the human rights monitoring and reporting capacity of the OHCHR field presence in Yemen.
Report has it that a United Nations official said on Tuesday that the Houthi group had raided and seized the UN Human Rights Office in Sanaa, confiscating documents, furniture, and office vehicles.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said in a statement posted on the commission’s website that “unauthorized entry into a UN office and the forcible seizure of documents and property are in complete violation of the UN Convention on the Privileges and Immunities.”
In the wake of these detentions in June this year and given the security situation, the High Commissioner decided to suspend temporarily the Office’s operations in Sana’a and other areas under Ansar Allah control. The Office continues to operate in other parts of Yemen.
On 3 August 2024, Ansar Allah de facto authorities sent a “delegation” to the premises of the UN Human Rights Office in Sana’a that forced national staff to hand over belongings, including documents, furniture and vehicles, in addition to the office’s keys. They are still in control of the premises.
Multiple calls for the release of the detained staff – from the High Commissioner and other high-level officials – have not been heeded. “I regret that all our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” Türk said. “I appeal again, with a heavy heart, for their immediate and unconditional release.
“We are doing all we can to make sure they are united with their loved ones as soon as possible. Until then, the de facto authorities must ensure they are treated with full respect for their human rights, and that they are able to contact their families and legal representatives.”
One of the two staff detained earlier by Ansar Allah had appeared in videos published online, in which he was forced to confess to allegations, including of espionage, in a clear violation of his basic human rights protected under international law.
“All such claims are baseless,” Türk stressed. “At no time has my Office engaged in any activities other than those in the service of the people of Yemen, in accordance with my mandate.”
The UN Human Rights Office in Yemen works to promote the human rights of all Yemenis without distinction. This has included monitoring the impact of armed conflict and violence on civilians irrespective of the parties that may be responsible.
Including by documenting deaths, injuries, destruction of essential infrastructure and the capacity of the Yemeni people to earn their livelihoods. The Office’s also focuses on promoting the rights of vulnerable groups, like women, children, people with disabilities, older people and minorities.
“It is crucial that the de facto authorities respect UN, its independence and release all detained UN staff immediately, and create conditions in which my Office and other UN agencies can continue their critical work for people of Yemen without threat, hinderance,” the High Commissioner said.
