The United Nations has demanded an urgent, independent investigation after a staff member of its human rights office died while held by the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen. Mohammad el Shami, who worked for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Yemen, had been arbitrarily detained since 6 June 2024, the UN said on Saturday.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was appalled by the death and condemned it, calling for an immediate, impartial, transparent and thorough investigation. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said el Shami's family had only recently been told of his death, more than a month after it occurred, and had received no explanation of the cause or circumstances. The UN said the Houthi authorities had provided neither information about his well-being nor proof of life during his detention, despite repeated requests.

Second death in detention

El Shami is the second UN staff member to die in Houthi detention, following the death of a World Food Programme colleague in February 2025. The Secretary-General said the UN is urgently seeking answers from the de facto authorities about the circumstances of his death and expressed grave concern for the safety of 70 UN personnel, five former UN staff members, and personnel from humanitarian and civil society organisations who remain detained.

What the UN is asking for

Turk demanded full transparency, including disclosure of medical and detention records, preservation of evidence and independent scrutiny of any stated cause of death, and the immediate and unconditional release of all other UN personnel in detention, including seven colleagues from his own office. Yemen's prime minister condemned the death and said he held the Houthis fully responsible. The Houthis have previously said those detained were part of a spy network working for the United States and Israel, an allegation the UN rejects in describing the detention as arbitrary.