The United Nations urged governments to help secure the release of about 70 U.N. personnel, along with other detained workers, after Yemen’s Houthi de facto authorities aired a video of a detained U.N. staff member. Anadolu Agency reported Tuesday, citing U.N. Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.
Haq said the footage, broadcast Nov. 5, showed the employee making a visibly forced statement while in custody. The U.N. condemned the broadcast in a note issued Monday and called for the video to be removed.
“The video exposes our colleague to public vilification, puts him at further risk, and causes distress to his family,” Haq said.
Haq said detainees should be protected and treated humanely, and that statements recorded in custody should not be made public. He called for their release without delay or conditions.
One detainee was freed a few weeks ago, Haq said. Those still held include U.N. employees and staff members of other international and nongovernmental organizations. He said U.N. appeals to the Security Council and countries able to influence the Houthis had not secured the result sought.
The appeal follows the death in Houthi custody of a Yemeni human rights staff member, whose case the U.N. has asked to have investigated. EconoTimes previously reported on the death of a Yemeni human rights staff member in Houthi custody.
