The United Nations has demanded an urgent, independent investigation into the death of Mohammad el‑Shami, a staffer of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who died while in the custody of Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The UN’s statement was issued on Saturday, following Mohammad’s family being informed only recently.
Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called the death outrageous and urged the Houthis to provide full transparency and to release the seven other OHCHR personnel who remain detained. He stated, I am also gravely concerned for the others, adding that he appealed for their immediate and unconditional release.
"I am also gravely concerned, for the seven other OHCHR personnel who were detained alongside me and are still being held," said Volker Turk.
UN Secretary‑General António Guterres echoed the call for an investigation, saying he was "appalled" by el‑Shami’s death and demanded answers from the Houthis.
"I was appalled by this shocking incident," said António Guterres.
Mohammad el‑Shami had been held since June 2024, when he and more than 60 other UN and NGO workers were detained and accused of spying for an “American‑Israeli” network. The Houthis did not disclose how he died, leaving the family and UN officials to seek clarification.
In a separate statement released October 31, the UN condemned the death as "heartbreaking" and called for an urgent inquiry. This claim is reported only by the Straits Times.
El‑Shami is the second UN staff member to die in Houthi detention, following the death of a World Food Programme staffer in February 2025. A total of 72 UN staffers and NGO workers, including el‑Shami, have been detained by the Houthis, prompting the UN to pause operations in parts of Houthi‑held Yemen in February 2025 over safety concerns.
