GENEVA, Oct. 31, 2026 — The UN's human rights chief on Saturday demanded an independent investigation into the death of Mohammad el Shami, a staff member of the UN human rights office in Yemen held by the Houthi de facto authorities since June 6, 2024, UN News reports.
His family says he died more than a month ago but was told only recently, the UN says. "Mohammad's family has not received any explanation of the cause or circumstances of his death – they deserve to know the truth," High Commissioner Volker Türk said. "There must be accountability for wrongdoing."
Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement late Saturday that "the circumstances surrounding this appalling tragedy remain unclear," and called for an immediate, impartial, transparent and thorough investigation, according to UN News.
Türk asked the Houthis to release all medical and detention records, preserve evidence and allow independent scrutiny of any stated cause of death. As of mid-October, 71 UN personnel were in Houthi detention, the UN says, including seven from Türk's office.
The Houthi authorities' response wasn't included in the UN's account.
Source: UN News, Oct. 31, 2026.
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