Aden (Al-Ittihad)
The International Committee of the Red Cross in Yemen announced the release of 113 detainees held by the Ansar Allah Houthi group in the capital, Sanaa. The committee said, in a press statement yesterday, that it supported the release of detainees at the request of the “National Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs.” She pointed out that the released detainees were among those whom the International Committee regularly visited and provided assistance to in Sanaa, and that “the purpose of these visits is to ensure that detainees are treated humanely.”
The head of the ICRC delegation in Yemen, Daphne Maret, said: “We are pleased to see that humanitarian considerations have been placed at the forefront of priorities, especially since this measure brings joy to the hearts of families who are eager for the return of their loved ones, especially with the approaching Eid al-Adha, which falls in a few weeks.” . Marit expressed her hope that this gesture would pave the way for more releases “that put an end to the suffering of families who are looking forward to being reunited with the return of their families to their care.”
She affirmed the readiness of the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide its humanitarian services to individuals detained for reasons related to the conflict in Yemen and their families, and to support their release when the detention authorities so declare, as they did today.
She added: “We are fully prepared to play the role of a neutral humanitarian mediator in the simultaneous release and transfer of detainees as soon as the parties reach an agreement in this regard.”
“We held unannounced conversations with all detainees to listen to their concerns about the release process, ensure there is communication between them and their families, and collect the necessary information to follow up on their conditions if necessary,” said Alicia Bertley, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross’s Protection Department. According to a statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross, before the release of the detainees, an employee of the ICRC’s medical team conducted an assessment of their health condition, checked their ability to travel by land, and made recommendations to the authorities regarding any special measures required by the condition of some of the detainees.
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