The United Nations has demanded an investigation after a staff member of its Human Rights Office in Yemen died in Houthi custody. Mohammad el-Shami died more than a month ago, but his family was only recently informed, the UN said in a statement on Saturday.
El-Shami had been held since June 2024, when he and more than 60 UN and NGO workers were detained and accused of being part of an “American-Israeli spy network.” The Houthis did not say how he died.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said el-Shami’s family “deserve to know the truth” and demanded “full transparency” and an “urgent, independent and thorough investigation.” Turk said he is gravely concerned for seven other OHCHR personnel detained alongside el-Shami who are still held, and appealed for their immediate and unconditional release.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “appalled” and echoed the calls, and the UN is “urgently seeking answers.”
El-Shami is the second UN staff member to die in Houthi detention, after a World Food Programme staffer in February 2025. A total of 72 UN staffers and NGO workers, including el-Shami, have been detained.
Source: Al Jazeera
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