World
UN staffer’s death in custody exposes Houthi ‘political extortion’ in Yemen
Following a UN staffer's death, rights experts expose systematic abuses and demand international accountability in Yemen
Al Jazeera•
The United Nations is demanding a thorough investigation into the death of a human rights employee while in Houthi detention in Yemen.
Mohammad el-Shami, who worked for the UN Human Rights Office, died more than a month ago but his family was only recently notified. He had been arbitrarily detained by the rebel group, which controls much of northern Yemen, since June 2024.
His death has highlighted the number of UN and NGO workers targeted by the Houthis, since they captured the capital Sanaa in September 2014.
The group has routinely arrested civil rights activists, NGO workers and other civilians on espionage allegations.