(The following is a joint statement, delivered by Ambassador Dame Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the UN, in her national capacity.)
I would like to deliver a statement on behalf of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, the EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States of America, Yemen and my own country, the United Kingdom.
This morning, the Security Council will discuss the situation in Yemen.
We strongly condemn the latest detentions by the Houthis, since 7 June, of United Nations personnel and staff working for or having previously worked for international and national non-governmental organisations and diplomatic missions.
We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained and urge the Houthis to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian and United Nations personnel.
We are gravely concerned at the significant and rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen and underline that unimpeded access to civilian populations by humanitarian actors is essential.
We are also deeply concerned at the risk to delivery of essential humanitarian assistance and reiterate our call for parties to respect international humanitarian law with regard to the safe, rapid and unimpeded access for all humanitarian actors to ensure assistance can reach the most vulnerable in Yemen.
We reaffirm our strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen, and our commitment to stand by the people of Yemen.