The United Nations human rights chief on Friday called on Houthi authorities to return the body of a Yemeni employee of his office, who died under unknown circumstances weeks ago after more than two years in Houthi detention.
The family of Mohammad el Shami was informed of his death on October 30, over a month after it occurred, and has yet to receive any explanation regarding the cause or circumstances. El Shami had been detained by the Houthi group since June 6, 2024.
“Our colleague must be laid to rest in a dignified manner, in accordance with the wishes of his family, who were denied contact with him for two years while he was in detention,” said Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
His family said the Houthis had agreed in principle to an investigation in a statement earlier this week. “Do not allow Mohamed to die twice: once when he was taken from his family and disappeared, and again when the truth about his fate is allowed to disappear from the world.”
The Houthis have not issued an immediate response. The group has previously alleged that those detained were part of a spy network working for the United States and Israel.
More than 70 UN employees and dozens of humanitarian workers remain in detention in Yemen. A video circulating this week appeared to show one of them “confessing,” according to Turk’s office, which voiced concerns that detainees may be subjected to torture or ill-treatment.
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