UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterates his condemnation of the detention of UN and other personnel and calls for their immediate and unconditional release, said his deputy spokesman on Wednesday.

Seventy-three UN personnel remain arbitrarily detained. One UN staff member has died in detention. Some colleagues are being held incommunicado, said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman, in a statement to mark two years of Houthis’ detention of personnel from the United Nations, nongovernmental organizations, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions.

“These actions violate international law, cause deep suffering to families, and have severely constrained the ability of the United Nations and its partners to assist millions of people in need across Yemen,” said the statement.

UN personnel, including those who are nationals of Yemen, are immune from legal process in respect of all acts performed by them in their official capacity, it said.

Guterres underscores the importance of continued dialogue and engagement with the Houthis to secure the release of detained personnel and enable the resumption of humanitarian and development activities. The United Nations will continue to pursue all possible avenues to secure their immediate and safe release, said the statement.

The secretary-general remains steadfast in the United Nations’ commitment to supporting the people of Yemen and their aspirations for a just and lasting peace, it said.