Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the UN, at the UNSC Briefing on Middle East (Yemen)
16 June 2026, 10:00 am
Thank you, Madam President,
I thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and OCHA USG Tom Fletcher for their informative briefings, and I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Yemen in today’s meeting.
In light of today’s briefings and the developments on the ground since our last briefing, allow me to make the following points.
First, we condemn the Houthis’ recent re-engagement in the regional hostilities and renewed threats against international shipping in the Red Sea.
Latvia calls for an immediate end to all threats of escalation, including actions that jeopardize freedom of navigation and the security of key maritime supply routes.
We welcome the reported diplomatic breakthrough reached between the US and Iran and hope that it will contribute to a wider regional de-escalation and deter the Houthis from their destabilizing activities.
Second, I would like to welcome the long-awaited UN-facilitated breakthrough on the conflict-related detainee file last month. We commend the efforts of Special Envoy Grundberg, the ICRC, and the mediating countries Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Oman that facilitated the release of over 1 600 detainees. This brings relief and represents an important confidence-building measure.
We encourage the parties to capitalize on this positive development and continue efforts toward additional releases, consistent with their obligations under the Stockholm Agreement.
Meanwhile, this month marks two years since the Houthis launched mass detentions targeting personnel from the United Nations, NGOs, civil society organisations and diplomatic missions. Latvia condemns the continued arbitrary detention of these individuals. We once again call on the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release all detained UN, humanitarian, civil society and diplomatic personnel.
The report by the Secretary-General notes the widespread conflict-related sexual violence in Houthi-controlled areas. We condemn the use of CRSV against women and men in arbitrary detention to demoralize, torture, and punish detainees. These crimes must cease immediately, unimpeded access to detention facilities must be ensured, and perpetrators must be held accountable.
Third, we are deeply troubled by the worsening humanitarian situation and growing needs of the Yemeni population, as we just heard from the sobering briefing by the USG Fletcher. Also, the recent statement by the World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization and UNICEF is warning of deepening acute food insecurity, rising malnutrition risks, and increasing threats to livelihoods through 2026 in Government-Controlled Areas.
Further international financing is urgently needed to bridge funding gaps and sustain life-saving assistance, in addition to the continued contributions of donors such as the European Union. Moreover, humanitarian actors must be able to operate safely, independently and without impediments. We call on all parties to facilitate safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Yemen.
In this context, we are alarmed by the recent escalation in the Houthi rhetoric against humanitarian and international organisations operating in their controlled areas. Such rhetoric risks further undermining the operating environment and forcing organisations to scale back assistance to millions of Yemenis, which includes essential services for women and girls.
Madam President,
In conclusion, as Yemen marked Unity Day on 22 May, I would like to reaffirm Latvia’s support for the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen.
We encourage a comprehensive and inclusive UN-led political process with the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and all relevant stakeholders, and reiterate our strong support for the efforts of Special Envoy Grundberg. It also remains important to advance towards a sustained and inclusive dialogue in the south of Yemen.
Referring to the developments described by the Special Envoy Grundberg, we call on all Yemeni parties to seize the momentum towards a negotiated political settlement, de-escalate, and focus on urgent domestic priorities, including on ways to improve security and living conditions for Yemenis.
I thank you!