UN urges Houthis to release body of staff member who died in custody

The UN's human rights chief, Volker Turk, is demanding that the bodies of two Yemeni staff members be returned to their families without delay. One of these individuals, Mohammed al-Shami, died in the custody of the Houthi group weeks ago, after being held for over two years. His family only learned of his death on October 30, more than a month later, and has received no explanation regarding the cause or circumstances of his demise.

Al-Shami was detained by the Houthis since June 6, 2024. Turk emphasized that al-Shami's body must be laid to rest in a dignified manner, in accordance with his family's wishes, which they have been denied contact with for the past two years. Earlier this week, al-Shami's family stated that the Houthis had agreed to an investigation, but Turk warned that it is essential not to allow Mohammed 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."

More than 70 UN employees and dozens of humanitarian workers are currently detained in Yemen. Turk's office revealed that a circulating video appears to show one of them confessing, raising concerns that the detainees may be subjected to torture or ill-treatment. Turk urged the Houthi de facto authorities to take urgent steps to establish the date, cause, and circumstances of al-Shami's death, as well as to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

Turk also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained UN and humanitarian personnel, emphasizing that the Houthi authorities must provide information on the whereabouts and health of all detainees.