The Media Freedom Observatory condemns the Houthi seizure of the OHCHR office in Sana’a

The Media Freedom Observatory in Yemen strongly condemns the Houthi group’s forcible seizure of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) headquarters in Sana’a. The storming and takeover of the OHCHR office is a flagrant violation of international law and the sanctity of international institutions dedicated to protecting human rights in Yemen.

This incident is part of an ongoing pattern of human rights abuses perpetrated by the Houthi group against humanitarian workers and journalists in Yemen. This latest assault follows a series of escalations, including the arrest of numerous UN staff members, employees of international organizations, and diplomatic personnel, as well as the continued crackdown on press freedom and expression in areas under the group’s control, including the ongoing detention of Three Yemeni journalists.

The Observatory (MFO – YEMEN) calls on the Houthi group to immediately cease these unlawful practices, release all detained UN staff, international organization employees, diplomatic personnel, and journalists, and end all forms of persecution and restrictions on press freedom in Yemen.

The Observatory underscores the need to hold those responsible for this attack accountable and urges the international community to continue supporting the efforts of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Yemen to achieve justice and protect human rights in this war-ravaged country.