- UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for the immediate release of 118 detained UN staff worldwide
- The UN reported a sharp rise in arrests, with 179 personnel detained in 2025, including 73 in Yemen
- Global leaders condemned the detentions, warning they undermine humanitarian efforts and violate international law
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has called for the immediate release of 118 United Nations personnel currently detained across the world, amid growing concerns over the safety of humanitarian workers.
In a statement marking the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, Guterres warned that attacks against UN staff are on the rise, revealing that 179 personnel were arrested or detained in 2025 alone. This represents a sharp increase compared to 52 staff members held in detention as of March 2025.
The UN chief highlighted the situation in Yemen as particularly alarming, noting that 73 UN staff members remain in detention under the control of the de facto Houthi authorities. Among them are eight staff from the UN’s human rights office.
Guterres stressed that no detained staff member has been forgotten, urging member states to uphold international law and guarantee safe and unhindered humanitarian operations.
“Today and every day, let us stand with those who serve humanity and ensure they are protected and supported as they carry out their essential work,” he said.
The UN maintains a presence in some of the world’s most volatile regions, including Gaza, Afghanistan, Sudan, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where staff often operate under dangerous conditions.
President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, condemned the detentions, stating that such actions violate fundamental human rights and undermine critical humanitarian efforts. She warned that detaining UN workers delays life-saving assistance to millions of vulnerable people.
Similarly, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, described the situation in Yemen as deeply troubling, noting that some personnel have been arbitrarily detained for up to five years.
“Every day, the injustice of their detention is compounded. Their suffering, and that of their families, is intolerable,” Türk said, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.
The International Day of Solidarity also commemorates the abduction of Alec Collett in 1985, whose remains were discovered in Lebanon decades later. The observance seeks to mobilise global action, demand justice, and reinforce the protection of UN personnel, humanitarian workers, and journalists operating in high-risk environments.