UN chief condemns death of human rights staff member in Houthi custody
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the death of a UN human rights staff member detained by Yemen's Houthi authorities since June 2024, demanding an immediate investigation and the unconditional release of 75 current and former UN personnel.
- UN human rights staff member Mohammad el Shami has died after more than two years in Houthi detention.
- António Guterres has demanded an immediate, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
- The UN is seeking the unconditional release of 70 current and five former personnel detained by Houthi authorities.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the death of a UN human rights staff member in the custody of Yemen’s Houthi authorities, calling for an immediate investigation and the unconditional release of dozens of other personnel who remain detained.
Mohammad el Shami, who worked for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), had been arbitrarily detained by the Houthis since 6 June 2024, according to a statement issued by the UN on 31 October 2026.
Guterres called for an “immediate, impartial, transparent and thorough investigation” into the death.
“Since his detention in June 2024, the Houthi de facto authorities have provided neither information about his well-being nor proof of life, despite repeated requests from the United Nations,” the statement, delivered by UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric, said.
The UN said the death was the second of a staff member in Houthi detention, following the death of a World Food Programme (WFP) employee in February 2025.
UN calls for release of 70 detained personnel
Guterres said he remained gravely concerned about the safety and physical and psychological well-being of 70 current UN personnel and five former UN staff members who remained detained by the Houthi authorities.
Personnel from humanitarian and civil society organisations were also being held, the statement said.
The Secretary-General reiterated his call for their immediate and unconditional release, describing their continued detention as unacceptable and a source of immense suffering for detainees and their families.
He also reminded the authorities holding them that all people deprived of their liberty must be treated humanely and with respect for their dignity and human rights.
“ The authorities exercising custody bear full responsibility for their protection, safety, access to medical care, and physical and psychological well-being,” the statement said.
The UN has repeatedly raised concerns over the detention of its personnel in Yemen. In a statement marking two years since the detention of UN and other personnel in June 2024, issued on 10 June 2026, Guterres said 73 UN personnel remained arbitrarily detained.
He called for their immediate and unconditional release and said the detentions had severely constrained the organisation’s ability to assist millions of people in need across the country.
Second UN staff member to die in Houthi custody
The latest death follows that of a WFP employee who died in detention in February 2025.
In a statement issued on 11 February 2025, Guterres said the employee had been arbitrarily detained by the Houthi authorities since 23 January that year and died in custody on 10 February.
He also called for an immediate, transparent and thorough investigation, saying the circumstances surrounding the death remained unclear. The UN sought explanations from the Houthi authorities and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
The UN has said that arbitrary detention of its personnel and staff from partner organisations has affected its ability to deliver humanitarian assistance in areas controlled by the Houthis.
At a UN Geneva press briefing on 18 September 2026, a UN representative said 73 UN personnel remained arbitrarily detained, some of them since 2021. Five former UN personnel and dozens of people working for non-governmental organisations, civil society groups and diplomatic missions were also being held.
The representative said the detentions, along with the seizure of UN premises and assets, had made the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Houthi-controlled areas untenable.
Yemen’s prolonged conflict and humanitarian crisis
Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since 2014, when Houthi forces seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the country’s north. In March 2015, a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in support of the internationally recognised government.
The conflict has caused widespread displacement, damaged infrastructure and disrupted access to basic services. The country continues to face one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
According to the UN’s 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, 22.3 million people in Yemen are expected to need humanitarian assistance and protection services during the year.
The figure includes 18.3 million people facing acute food insecurity and more than 2.2 million children under the age of five suffering from acute malnutrition.
The UN has warned that continued insecurity, economic deterioration, displacement and funding shortages are making it increasingly difficult to provide assistance to vulnerable communities.
Guterres has repeatedly called on the Houthi authorities to release detained UN personnel and respect the privileges and immunities of the organisation and its staff. The UN has said it will continue to pursue all available channels to secure their safe and immediate release.
