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Yemeni UN employee dies in Houthi detention, sparking calls for investigation

The Jerusalem Post • October 31, 2026 • world

Key Points:

A Yemeni UN Human Rights Office staff member, Mohammad el Shami, died in Houthi custody after over two years of arbitrary detention, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Tuerk.
El Shami's family was informed of his death more than a month after it occurred, with no explanation provided regarding the cause or circumstances.
The UN has called for an independent investigation into his death and the immediate release of other detained UN personnel, including seven colleagues, as well as humanitarian workers and civil society members.
Yemen's prime minister condemned the death, holding the Houthis responsible and demanding accountability, noting that over 70 UN employees and dozens of humanitarian workers remain detained.
The Houthis have accused the detainees of being part of a US-Israeli spy network and claim humanitarian organizations use their work as a cover for intelligence activities, though they have provided no evidence.

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