Guterres Condemns Death of UN Staff Member in Houthi Detention in Yemen, Calls for Impartial Investigation

Yemen Monitor | Geneva | Agencies United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the death of a staff member of the UN Human Rights Office in Yemen while in Houthi custody, calling for an immediate, impartial, transparent and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement that Guterres was deeply distressed by the death of Mohammed al-Shami, who had been arbitrarily detained by the Houthis since June 6, 2024. The secretary-general extended his condolences to al-Shami’s family and colleagues and expressed solidarity with all detainees and their families. According to the statement, al-Shami’s family said he had died more than a month ago but was only recently informed of his death. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, it added. Dujarric said Houthi authorities had provided no information about al-Shami’s health or proof that he was still alive since his arrest, despite repeated requests from the United Nations. The organisation is urgently seeking answers about the circumstances of his death, he added. The statement said this was the second known case of a UN employee dying while in Houthi custody, following the death of a World Food Programme staff member in February 2025. The UN spokesman warned of the serious risks facing UN personnel detained in Yemen, stressing that their continued arbitrary detention, in some cases for years, was unacceptable and causing immense suffering to them and their families. Guterres stressed that all persons deprived of their liberty must be treated humanely, with their dignity and rights respected. Those holding them bear full responsibility for their safety and must ensure they receive medical care and protection for their physical and mental health, he said. The secretary-general also expressed grave concern over the continued detention of 70 UN staff members and five former UN employees, as well as personnel from humanitarian organizations and members of civil society. He renewed his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained. The post Guterres Condemns Death of UN Staff Member in Houthi Detention in Yemen, Calls for Impartial Investigation appeared first on Yemen Monitor.