UN Human Rights Chief Demands Probe After Yemeni Staff Member Dies in Houthi Custody

More than two years passed before the UN Human Rights Office confirmed the death of one of its own employees, Mohammad el Shami, who died while in Houthi detention. Volker Tuerk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, announced the news on Saturday, stating that Shami had been arbitrarily detained since June 6, 2024.

Tuerk demanded a prompt, independent, and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Shami's death. The high commissioner also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all other UN personnel currently held by the Houthis. This group includes seven colleagues from Tuerk's office, along with humanitarian workers and civil society members.

The family of the deceased learned of his death only recently, more than a month after it occurred. Tuerk noted that the relatives received no explanation regarding the cause or circumstances of the death. In response, Yemen's prime minister condemned the event and held the Houthis fully responsible. He stated that more than 70 UN employees and dozens of humanitarian workers remain in Houthi custody.

The Houthi militant group has not provided immediate comment on the specific death. The group has previously alleged that detained individuals were part of a spy network working for the United States and Israel. They also accused humanitarian organizations of using their work as cover for intelligence activities, though they did not provide evidence for these claims.

The Houthis seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, which prompted a Saudi-led military intervention in 2015. That intervention supported Yemen's internationally recognized government. The conflict has divided the country, with the Houthis controlling Sanaa and much of the north and northwest, while government-aligned forces hold much of the south and east.