UN Chief Urges Houthi Rebels to Release Detained Personnel

The UN Secretary-General has urged Yemen's Houthi rebels to release detained UN and foreign agency staff. This comes after the Houthis referred UN personnel to their special criminal court, violating international law. The UN condemns the actions as a grave human rights violation, with many detainees enduring intolerable conditions.

In a recent turn of events, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made a fervent appeal to Yemen's Houthi rebels, urging them to cease the prosecution of detained UN personnel and to quickly release all detained personnel associated with foreign agencies and missions.

The situation is dire as reports have revealed that 59 Yemeni nationals working for the UN are currently in Houthi custody, with many among them referred to Yemen's capital criminal court. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric emphasized the illegality of these actions under international law.

A court decision late last November exacerbated the crisis by convicting 17 individuals of espionage for foreign entities, sentencing them to death. However, legal proceedings are ongoing as appeals are underway. The detention conditions are reportedly severe and include incommunicado confinement, sparking widespread international condemnation.

(With inputs from agencies.)