The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, on Friday, November 13, demanded that Yemen's Houthi authorities return the body of a Yemeni staff member of his office, Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Shami, who died in Houthi custody after being held for more than two years.

Source: Reuters

"Two weeks have passed since we learned of the death in Houthi custody of our colleague Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Shami, but his body has yet to be returned to his family," the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said in its statement from Geneva. Türk demanded that the body be returned without delay, and that the Houthi de facto authorities take urgent steps to establish the date, cause and circumstances of his death, and ensure those responsible are held accountable.

Source: OHCHR

"Our colleague must be laid to rest in a dignified manner, in accordance with the wishes of his family — which was denied contact with him for two years while he was in detention," Türk said.

Source: OHCHR

Al-Shami's family learned of his death on October 30, more than a month after it occurred, and has received no explanation of its cause or circumstances, Reuters reported. He had been held by the Houthi group since June 6, 2024. His family said the Houthis had agreed in principle to an investigation in a statement earlier this week.

Source: Reuters

Coerced 'confession' videos raise fears for other detainees

OHCHR also said that this week, videos were circulated purporting to show "confessions" by another detained UN Human Rights colleague. The office called the material clearly coerced and abusive, said it exposes the colleague to vilification and increased risk, and said it fears gravely that he and others in Houthi custody have been subjected to torture or other ill-treatment to make such statements.

Source: OHCHR

More than 70 UN employees and dozens of humanitarian workers remain in detention in Yemen, Reuters reported. There was no immediate comment from the Houthis on Friday; the group has previously said those detained were part of a spy network working for the United States and Israel — a claim the UN has not accepted and which remains an allegation.

Source: Reuters

Türk renewed his call for all detained UN and humanitarian personnel in Yemen to be released immediately and unconditionally. Pending their release, he said, the Houthi authorities must provide information on the whereabouts and health of all detainees, ensure regular contact with their families and access to necessary medical care, and urgently release those requiring critical medical attention.

Source: OHCHR

What happens next rests with the Houthi authorities in Sanaa: whether they hand over Al-Shami's body, open the investigation his family says was agreed in principle, and answer the UN's demand for information about the dozens of UN and aid workers still in their custody.