The UN human rights chief on Saturday demanded an independent investigation into the death of a Yemeni colleague held by the Houthis for more than two years, whose family learned of his death only weeks after it happened.
Mohammad el Shami, a staff member of the UN human rights office in Yemen, had been arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities since 6 June 2024. His family say he died more than a month ago but were told only recently.
"Mohammad's family has not received any explanation of the cause or circumstances of his death - they deserve to know the truth," said High Commissioner Volker Türk, who described the loss as devastating.
Records and accountability
Mr. Türk called on the Houthis to disclose all relevant medical and detention records, preserve evidence and allow independent scrutiny of any stated cause of death. "There must be accountability for wrongdoing," he said in a statement.
He said he was gravely concerned about the UN personnel still being held, including seven colleagues from his own office, as well as detained humanitarian and civil society workers. He again appealed for their immediate and unconditional release.
Dozens still held
Mr. el Shami was reportedly detained during a wave of Houthi raids in June 2024 in which 13 UN staff were seized.
As of mid-October, the UN said 71 of its personnel were in Houthi detention. In June, the Secretary-General's office said one UN colleague had already died in detention.
Briefing the Security Council on 9 October, UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg said many detainees had serious health problems, which made their release all the more urgent.
"Under no circumstances can UN personnel be detained, much less charged with crimes, for undertaking their vital work on behalf of the Yemeni people," Mr. Türk said in March.
Back to full-scale war
Yemen has been at war since 2014. The fighting pits Houthi separatists against the internationally recognised Government based in Aden.
The relative calm that followed a UN-mediated truce in 2022 has broken down. On 9 October, Mr. Grundberg told the Security Council that Yemen had "slid back into full-scale war, with hostilities spreading across multiple frontlines".
The UN aid coordination office ( OCHA ) says more than 22 million people need aid this year.
"By detaining our colleagues, the de facto authorities are gravely undermining our ability to support the people of Yemen during a most serious humanitarian and human rights crisis," Mr. Türk said. "I urge them to change course."
