UN demands investigation into Houthi custody death

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 01:50 · Archive

A UN human rights worker held by Yemen's Houthis since June 2024 has died in custody.

Mohammad El Shami, a Yemeni national who worked for the UN Human Rights Office, has died in custody after being held by Yemen's Houthi rebels since June 2024. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk announced the death on Saturday, describing it as 'utterly devastating'. El Shami died more than a month ago, but his family was only recently informed, according to information provided to the UN by his relatives.

The UN is demanding an urgent independent investigation and full transparency from Houthi authorities, including access to medical and detention records. 'Mohammad's family has not received any explanation of the cause or circumstances of his death - they deserve to know the truth,' Türk said. UN Secretary General António Guterres was appalled and condemned the death. His spokesman Stéphane Dujarric stated that since his detention, Houthi authorities had provided neither information about El Shami's well-being nor proof of life, despite repeated requests from the UN.

This is the second death of a UN staff member detained by Houthi authorities, following the death of a World Food Programme staff member in February 2025. Dujarric described it as 'a painful reminder of the grave risks faced by all UN and humanitarian personnel, who remain arbitrarily detained - some for years'. He stated that their continued detention is unacceptable and causes immense suffering to them and their families.

How it is being reported

• UN demands probe into death of worker in Houthi custodyThe United Nations is demanding an independent investigation into the death of one of its workers who was being held by Yemen's Houthi rebels.The West Australian · 1 Nov, 01:16
• UN demands probe into death of worker in Houthi custodyThe United Nations is demanding an independent investigation into the death of one of its workers who was being held by Yemen's Houthi rebels.Perth Now · 1 Nov, 01:16

In this story: Mohammad El Shami · Volker Türk · António Guterres · Yemen · United Nations · Houthi rebels

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log