March 26, (THEWILL) — The United Nations has intensified global efforts to secure the freedom of its personnel, with Secretary-General António Guterres leading a renewed call for the immediate release of 118 staff members currently detained across the world.
The appeal was made as the global body marked the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, a day dedicated to raising awareness, mobilising action, and strengthening international commitment to the protection of humanitarian workers.
Guterres noted that attacks against UN personnel have risen significantly, with 179 staff arrested or detained in 2025 alone, up from 52 recorded in March of the same year. Despite the troubling trend, he emphasised the organisation’s unwavering resolve, assuring that “no colleague is forgotten” and that sustained diplomatic and humanitarian efforts are underway to secure their safe return.
A large number of those affected are in Yemen, where 73 UN staff, including eight from the human rights office, remain in detention under the control of de facto Houthi authorities. The development has prompted intensified international engagement aimed at ensuring their unconditional release.
Reinforcing the call, the President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, said the detention of UN staff violates international law and undermines critical humanitarian operations. She stressed that UN workers play a vital role in delivering life-saving assistance to millions of people in need.
Also lending his voice, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, decried the prolonged detention of some personnel in Yemen, noting that several have been held for up to five years. He described the situation as unjust and called for their immediate and unconditional release, insisting that humanitarian workers must never be targeted.
Operating in some of the world’s most volatile regions—including the Gaza Strip, Afghanistan, Sudan, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—the United Nations continues to demonstrate resilience and commitment to its humanitarian mandate despite growing risks.
The day also commemorates the legacy of Alec Collett, whose abduction and eventual discovery years later remain a powerful reminder of the dangers faced by aid workers. His story continues to inspire global advocacy for justice and stronger protection mechanisms.
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