International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members

  The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the immediate release of the 118 UN Staff currently detained worldwide  as attacks against the United Nations increase with 179 personnel arrested or detained last year alone. The figure marks a significant increase from the 52 UN staff in detention this time last year . In Yemen alone, 73 UN staff remain detained by the de facto Houthi authorities, including eight from the UN’s human rights office. In a statement marking the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, the UN chief said “no colleague is forgotten” and urged Member States to uphold international law to ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian work. The UN has a presence on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and unstable locations including Gaza, Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “ Any detention not only violates fundamental human rights, internationa...

 As we mark the International Day of Solidarity with Detained & Missing Staff members ; We Stand in Solidarity with the 73 UN colleagues arbitrarily detained in  Yemen , They save lives. They help communities recover and rebuild. They are #NotATarget . Today let's  #StandWithUNStaff .

Subject: Attacks against the UN system, Special procedures and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories. Speakers: Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues (in person) Richard Bennett, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan (in person) George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order (online) Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories (online) Fernanda Hopenhaym, Member of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights (online) Watch the OHCHR-Special Procedures - Press Conference: Attacks against the UN system! Press Conferences

Marking 20 years of UNDSS, this event will bring together Member States, senior United Nations officials, and civil society to reflect, through testimonials, video stories, and interactive discussion, on the evolution of the United Nations' approach to security: what has worked, what is changing, and what the future holds. The conversation will explore how UNDSS, the UNSMS, and their partners can continue to enable the UN's critical work, safely and sustainably, in a rapidly changing world. Recognizing 20 Years of Enabling UN Operations to Serve People in Need: The Leadership Role of UNDSS in the UN Security Management System Meetings & Events

  Briefing by Mr. Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, on behalf of the Secretary-General. Watch the UNGA  Informal meeting of the plenary to hear a briefing on missing persons, 79th session!

  Locally recruited UN staff are especially at risk of detention. Last year alone, 101 UN personnel were arrested or detained worldwide. The UN has a presence on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and unstable locations including Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In a statement ahead of the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members the UN chief said that UN staff often serve “ at immense personal risk – facing threats of kidnap, violence, harassment, detention, and more .” Mr. Guterres urged governments to ensure the safety and security of UN staff and to seek justice for crimes committed against them . He called on all states to fulfill their obligations under international conventions related to the protection of UN personnel. “Together, we must protect those who serve humanity and help build a better and safer world for all. ” Held in Yemen. The Arabian Peninsula state of Yemen is a particularly dange...