UN demands probe after Yemen staffer dies

The United Nations demanded a full investigation into the death of Mohammad el-Shami, a staff member of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Yemen. El-Shami died in Houthi detention more than a month ago, but his family only received the news recently, according to a UN statement released on Saturday.

Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that the family deserves to know the truth about the circumstances of the death. He called for full transparency from Houthi authorities and an urgent, independent, and thorough investigation. Turk also expressed grave concern for the seven other OHCHR personnel who remain detained alongside el-Shami, appealing for their immediate and unconditional release.

El-Shami was held in custody since June 2024. At that time, he was detained along with more than 60 other individuals working for the UN and non-governmental organizations. The Houthi authorities accused the group of being part of an American-Israeli spy network. The rebel group has not yet explained how el-Shami died.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a separate statement on Saturday describing the death as appalling. He echoed the calls for an investigation and noted that the UN is urgently seeking answers regarding the specific circumstances of el-Shami’s passing.

El-Shami is the second UN staff member to die in Houthi detention. A World Food Programme staffer died in February 2025. In total, 72 UN staffers and NGO workers have been detained by the group. The UN paused operations in parts of Houthi-held Yemen in February 2025 due to safety concerns for its employees.

The Houthi group has previously paraded some of the detainees on television channels, presenting them as collaborators with Western intelligence agencies and Israel. On October 6, the UN announced the release of one World Food Programme employee who had been arbitrarily detained by the Iran-backed group.