The United Nations has demanded an urgent and transparent investigation into the death of one of its staff members who had been held by Yemen's Houthi authorities for more than a year. Mohammad el Shami, who worked for the UN Human Rights Office in Yemen, died in detention, according to a statement released on Saturday by the office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
El Shami had been "arbitrarily held" since 6 June 2024, the statement said. His family reported that he had died more than a month ago, but they were only recently informed of his passing. Türk described the loss as "heartbreaking" and extended condolences to el Shami's family and colleagues.
Demand for answers
In his statement, Türk stressed that the family had received no explanation for the death. "This requires disclosure of all relevant medical and detention records, preservation of evidence and independent scrutiny of any stated cause of death," he said. "There must be accountability for wrongdoing."
The High Commissioner also voiced deep concern for the safety of other UN personnel still in Houthi custody, including seven colleagues from his own office, as well as humanitarian and civil society workers. He reiterated his appeal for their "immediate and unconditional release."
Yemeni Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani condemned the death and said the Houthis "bear full responsibility." He added that more than 70 UN staff members and dozens of humanitarian workers remain in Houthi detention.
The Houthis, an Iran-aligned rebel group, have been fighting Yemen's internationally recognised government for years. In June 2024, they announced the arrest of a number of people they accused of belonging to a US-Israeli "spy network." The UN has repeatedly called for their release, but the group has continued to hold them.
In recent months, the Houthis have escalated their offensive, seizing territory and intensifying clashes with government forces. Neighbouring Saudi Arabia has launched airstrikes against the group, prompting the Houthis to fire missiles and drones at Saudi cities and shipping. The group also declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia in July.
The death of el Shami underscores the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones across the region. The UN has called for an independent investigation, but with the Houthis controlling much of the territory where the detention occurred, access for international investigators remains uncertain.
European governments, which have been vocal in their support for international humanitarian law, are likely to follow the UN's call for accountability. The case also highlights the broader instability in the Middle East, which continues to have implications for European security and migration flows.
