World · Middle East · 7 hrs ago
UN staff member dies in Houthi custody in Yemen
Mohammad el Shami, a Yemeni UN staff member, died in Houthi custody after being detained since June 6, 2024.
The UN says his family was told of his death only recently, more than a month after it happened, and has not received an explanation of how he died.
A Yemeni government minister was reported as saying he was tortured to death, but the circumstances remain unclear.
The UN human rights chief is demanding an independent investigation into the death.
He also called for the immediate release of other detained UN staff, including seven colleagues from his office, as well as humanitarian workers and civil society members.
More than 70 UN employees are said to remain detained, according to Yemen’s prime minister.
The Houthis have accused detained workers of spying for the United States and Israel, but have provided no evidence, and had not commented on el Shami’s death.
The investigation and the fate of other detainees remain unresolved.
A Yemeni employee of the UN Human Rights Office has died in Houthi custody, the UN said.
Mohammad el Shami had been detained since June 6, 2024, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
The UN said his family learned of his death more than a month after it occurred and had received no explanation of the cause or circumstances.
Türk called for an independent investigation and the immediate, unconditional release of other detained UN personnel and humanitarian workers.
Yemen’s prime minister held the Houthis responsible, while the group did not immediately comment.
- Who
- Mohammad el Shami, a Yemeni staff member of the UN Human Rights Office.
- What
- He died in Houthi custody. The UN called for an independent investigation.
- When
- He had been detained since June 6, 2024; the UN said his family learned of his death more than a month after it occurred.
- Where
- In Houthi custody in Yemen.
- Why
- The cause and circumstances of his death were not explained. A Yemeni government minister was reported by n-tv as saying he was tortured to death.
UN and Yemen’s internationally recognised government
Houthis
Responsibility for the death
UN and Yemen’s internationally recognised government
The UN called for an investigation; Yemen’s prime minister held the Houthis responsible.
Houthis
The Houthis did not immediately comment on the death.
Detentions
UN and Yemen’s internationally recognised government
The UN demanded the release of detained personnel and humanitarian workers.
Houthis
The Houthis have said detainees were spies for the United States and Israel.
Mohammad el Shami was detained by the Houthis, according to the UN.
El Shami died in Houthi custody, according to the UN.
The UN announced his death and called for an independent investigation.
- Name
- Mohammad el Shami
- Role
- Yemeni staff member of the UN Human Rights Office
- Detention date
- June 6, 2024
- Detained colleagues from Türk’s office
- Seven
- UN employees still detained
- More than 70, according to Yemen’s prime minister
5 sources
70 UN-Leute in Rebellenhand: Von Huthi entführter UN-Mitarbeiter zu Tode gefoltert
UN says Yemeni staff member dies in Houthi custody, demands investigation
مفوض حقوق الإنسان يطالب الحوثي بتحقيق عاجل في وفاة موظف أممي بسجونه
What people are saying
absolutely devastating
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Yemen: I am devastated by the death of Mohammad el Shami, a Yemeni colleague who was arbitrarily detained by the Houthis for years. I call for an immediate investigation into his death. Mohammad’s family deserves to know the truth.