Guterres condemns the death of a UN worker in Houthi prisons and demands an immediate and transparent investigation; UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the death of Yemeni UN worker Mohammed al-Shami while detained by the Houthi militia, demanded an immediate, fair, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of his death, and expressed deep concern for the safety of remaining staff. Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric said in a press statement that the circumstances surrounding the "horrific tragedy" remain unclear and that the UN is urgently seeking answers from the de facto Houthi authorities regarding the circumstances of the death. He explained that since the arrest of al-Shami, a worker at the UN Human Rights Office in Yemen, the Houthis have provided no information on his health or proof of survival, despite repeated demands from the international organization. In a post on his "X" account on Sunday morning, Guterres said: "I am shocked and deeply saddened by the death of our UN colleague, Mohammed al-Shami, while detained by the de facto Houthi authorities in Yemen." The Secretary-General expressed deep concern over the conditions of 70 UN employees and five former UN personnel, as well as workers in humanitarian organizations and civil society who remain in detention, and reiterated his call for their immediate and unconditional release. He stressed that their continued arbitrary detention, in some cases for years, is unacceptable and causes immense suffering to them and their families, emphasizing that all those deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and respect for their dignity and rights. The statement placed full responsibility on the detention authorities for protecting detainees and their security, and ensuring their access to medical care and their physical and mental well-being. Earlier, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk revealed that al-Shami died more than a month ago, but his family was not informed of his death until recently, without any explanation of the reasons or circumstances of death. "This is a tremendous loss for the UN Human Rights Office and the entire UN system," Türk said. "Mohammed's family has not received an explanation for the cause or circumstances of his death. They deserve to know the truth." The Houthis called for full transparency and an urgent, independent, and comprehensive investigation, including the disclosure of all medical and detention-related records, the preservation of evidence, and an independent review of any announced cause of death, while ensuring accountability for any violations.

Guterres condemns the death of a UN worker in Houthi prisons and demands an immediate and transparent investigation; UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the death of Yemeni UN worker Mohammed al-Shami while detained by the Houthi militia, demanded an immediate, fair, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of his death, and expressed deep concern for the safety of remaining staff. Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric said in a press statement that the circumstances surrounding the "horrific tragedy" remain unclear and that the UN is urgently seeking answers from the de facto Houthi authorities regarding the circumstances of the death. He explained that since the arrest of al-Shami, a worker at the UN Human Rights Office in Yemen, the Houthis have provided no information on his health or proof of survival, despite repeated demands from the international organization. In a post on his "X" account on Sunday morning, Guterres said: "I am shocked and deeply saddened by the death of our UN colleague, Mohammed al-Shami, while detained by the de facto Houthi authorities in Yemen." The Secretary-General expressed deep concern over the conditions of 70 UN employees and five former UN personnel, as well as workers in humanitarian organizations and civil society who remain in detention, and reiterated his call for their immediate and unconditional release. He stressed that their continued arbitrary detention, in some cases for years, is unacceptable and causes immense suffering to them and their families, emphasizing that all those deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and respect for their dignity and rights. The statement placed full responsibility on the detention authorities for protecting detainees and their security, and ensuring their access to medical care and their physical and mental well-being. Earlier, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk revealed that al-Shami died more than a month ago, but his family was not informed of his death until recently, without any explanation of the reasons or circumstances of death. "This is a tremendous loss for the UN Human Rights Office and the entire UN system," Türk said. "Mohammed's family has not received an explanation for the cause or circumstances of his death. They deserve to know the truth." The Houthis called for full transparency and an urgent, independent, and comprehensive investigation, including the disclosure of all medical and detention-related records, the preservation of evidence, and an independent review of any announced cause of death, while ensuring accountability for any violations.