The Women’s Solidarity Network welcomes the announcement made by the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, regarding the agreement reached for the release of more than 1,600 conflict-related detainees, considering it an important humanitarian step that brings hope to thousands of families in Yemen who have long awaited news of their loved ones and the opportunity for reunification.

The WSN highly appreciates the efforts made throughout the negotiation rounds, the role played by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the support provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and Yemen’s international partners in reaching this agreement, which represents one of the largest agreed-upon prisoner release operations since the beginning of the conflict in Yemen.

The WSN believes that this agreement represents an important humanitarian breakthrough and demonstrates that dialogue, despite the complexity of the conflict and the depth of divisions, is still capable of producing outcomes that alleviate the suffering of civilians and families in Yemen. It also represents a goodwill gesture that could facilitate progress toward comprehensive peace consultations aimed at achieving a just, inclusive, and sustainable peace agreement.

The Women’s Solidarity Network also welcomes the release of human rights activist and detainee  Fatima Al-Arwali  as part of this agreement, expressing its solidarity with all detained and forcibly disappeared women, and emphasizing the importance of continuing efforts to secure the release of all female detainees while ensuring their protection and respect for their human and legal rights.

The WSN affirms that the issue of detainees has remained one of the key humanitarian and human rights files to which it has devoted special attention over the past years through advocacy, follow-up efforts, and continuous calls for the release of detainees and the disclosure of the fate of forcibly disappeared persons, stemming from its commitment to defending human dignity and the rights of victims and their families.

In this context, the WSN expresses its hope that the steps related to clarifying the fate of  Mr. Mohammed Qahtan will contribute to ending the long years of uncertainty and suffering endured by his family and loved ones. The WSN welcomes the announcement regarding the formation of a joint committee, with the participation of his family and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to verify his fate. It also appreciates the statement issued by his family, which rose above its pain and concluded by affirming that they are not against the agreement and continue to call for the release of all detainees and forcibly disappeared persons, including their father.

The Women’s Solidarity Network further calls on all parties to build upon this agreement and continue taking additional humanitarian steps, including the release of all detainees and forcibly disappeared persons, in line with national and international humanitarian and legal obligations.

The WSN emphasizes that addressing the issue of detainees in a fair and humane manner represents an essential step toward building trust and creating a more conducive environment for achieving the sustainable peace that all Yemenis aspire to.

Women’s Solidarity Network

14 May 2026

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