The Yemeni government stressed on Monday that the case of those abducted by Houthi militias tops its list of priorities in consultations with United Nations envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths. This is one of the important issues of confidence-building before any negotiations can be resumed with the Iran-backed militias, said Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdulmalik al-Mekhlafi. He made the stance in response to an appeal submitted by the Association of Abductees Mothers to the legitimate government. It requested that international pressure be exerted on the militias to make them release the detainees. In a letter addressed to the Association, Mekhlafi said: "The case of the abducted and forcibly detained is a humanitarian issue that concerns the entire humanitarian community.” He deemed the militias’ actions a “flagrant violation of all international norms, conventions and laws." "This issue will continue to be a priority for the legitimate government," he stressed in a statement. The minister explained that this issue was brought up by the government during peace consultations in Kuwait and the Swiss city of Biel. There can be no talks with the Houthis without resolving this case. The government also presented this issue before all interested parties and international organizations, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Human Rights Council and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Yemeni FM revealed that President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi had personally brought up this issue during meetings with Griffiths. Mekhlafi’s statement coincided with the escalation of the Houthis’ violations in Sanaa against civilians, activists and all those who oppose the militias.