UN employee dies after two years in Houthi custody

A United Nations employee has died in Houthi custody after more than two years of abduction and enforced disappearance in Yemen, the country’s human rights minister has said.

Human Rights Minister Mashdal Mohammed Omar announced the death of Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shami, an employee of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a statement posted on X on Saturday.

Omar said Al Shami had spent more than two years in Houthi custody, during which his family was denied visits and any contact with him.

He held the Houthis responsible for the employee’s abduction, enforced disappearance and death, adding that the circumstances surrounding his death remained unknown and his body had not been handed over to his family.

The minister said the case highlighted the need for stronger international efforts to monitor the conditions of detained UN personnel and secure their release.

He called for an investigation into Al Shami’s death, the immediate handover of his body to his family and accountability for those responsible.

He also urged more effective measures to secure the release of others being held in detention.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described Al Shami’s death as a “heartbreaking loss”, saying it followed more than two years of arbitrary detention.

In remarks shared by the UN human rights office on X, Türk said Al Shami’s family had received no explanation about the cause or circumstances of his death and deserved to know the truth.

He called for an urgent, full and independent investigation and urged the immediate and unconditional release of all other detained UN personnel.

The Houthis have not commented on the minister’s statement.