UN demands investigation after staffer’s death in Houthi custody in Yemen
Calls for answers
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged an investigation into el-Shami’s death. He said the family deserved to learn what happened, as the Houthis have not disclosed the cause of death.
In a separate statement on Saturday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was appalled by the death. He also backed Turk’s demand for an investigation.
Detention began in 2024
El-Shami had been held by the Houthis since June 2024. He was detained alongside more than 60 people employed by the UN and other NGOs. The Houthis accused those detained of belonging to an “American-Israeli spy network”. The article describes el-Shami’s detention as arbitrary.
UN operations and earlier death
That same month, the UN suspended operations in some areas of Houthi-held Yemen over employee safety concerns. On October 6, the UN said a World Food Programme employee had been freed after what it called arbitrary detention by the Iran-backed group.
Key points
- Mohammad el-Shami died while held in Houthi custody in Yemen.
- He had been detained since June 2024 with more than 60 UN and NGO workers.
- Volker Turk and Antonio Guterres called for an investigation.
- The UN has reported a second staff death in Houthi detention.