Note to Correspondents: on UN staff in Sana’a, Yemen

Earlier today, 12 UN international staff who were amongst those previously held in the UN compound in Yemen departed Sana'a on a UN Humanitarian Air Service flight. Three other staff who were detained in the compound are free to move or travel.

Currently, 53 UN colleagues remain arbitrarily detained by the de facto authorities. This is in addition to personnel from non-governmental and civil society organizations as well as from diplomatic missions. The UN, at all levels, continues to be seized with the matter and is in constant contact with the relevant authorities in Sana’a and with concerned Member States and partners to secure their release.

We renew the Secretary-General’s call for their immediate and unconditional release.