Mwatana Welcomes Agreement to Release Hundreds of Conflict-Related Detainees in Yemen
Mwatana for Human Rights welcomed the announcement made today, Thursday, May 14, 2026, by the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESGY). Under UN auspices, the parties to the conflict in Yemen reached an agreement to release over 1,600 conflict-related detainees. Mwatana views this agreement as a crucially important humanitarian step that will alleviate the suffering of hundreds of Yemeni families exhausted by years of waiting, loss, and anxiety over the fate of their loved ones.
The agreement was announced following a round of negotiations held in Amman, Jordan. The talks took place under the Supervisory Committee on the Implementation of the Detainees Exchange Agreement, co-chaired by OSESGY and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with the participation of representatives from the parties to the conflict. This round builds on the discussions held in Muscat, Oman, in December 2025, which revitalized this humanitarian issue and paved the way for today’s announced agreement.
Radhya Al-Mutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights, stated: "This agreement marks a crucially important humanitarian step and restores hope to thousands of Yemeni families who have endured years of loss, anxiety, and suffering." Al-Mutawakel emphasized that "the issue of detainees and forcibly disappeared persons remains one of the most painful and complex aspects of the Yemeni conflict."
Al-Mutawakel added: "The release of this batch of detainees must not be viewed as an exceptional or temporary measure. Instead, it should be a foundation to build upon to achieve the release of all arbitrarily detained persons, reveal the fate of the forcibly disappeared, and ensure that detention is never used as leverage or a tool for political retaliation."
Mwatana commends the efforts of the United Nations, represented by OSESGY, the ICRC, and all entities that supported, facilitated, and hosted the endeavors leading to this agreement. The organization calls for continued and effective action to ensure the immediate implementation of the agreement and to expand its scope, ultimately leading to the release of all individuals arbitrarily detained or forcibly disappeared in connection with the conflict
