AMHRI Calls for Yemen Inquiry After UN Staff Member’s Death in Houthi Detention
New York – October 31, 2026
The Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration (AMHRI) strongly condemns the death of Yemeni UN staff member Mohammed Al-Shami while arbitrarily detained by the Iran-backed Houthi group since 2024.
AMHRI welcomes the statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who expressed shock and profound sadness over the incident, noting that this was the second death of a UN staff member in Houthi detention following the death of a World Food Programme employee in 2025. He also renewed his call for the immediate and unconditional release of those still detained.
The Association further supports UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s demand for an urgent, independent, and comprehensive investigation into Al-Shami’s death, including disclosure of relevant medical and detention records, preservation of evidence, and accountability for any violations.
AMHRI renews its call on the UN Secretary-General, the High Commissioner, and the Human Rights Council to establish an independent, impartial, and comprehensive international UN commission of inquiry into all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law committed in Yemen since 2011, by all parties to the conflict and their supporters, without exception or selective accountability.
AMHRI stresses that investigating Al-Shami’s death must form part of a broader international accountability process to deliver justice to all victims of Yemen’s conflict, preserve evidence, identify those responsible, and end impunity.
Justice for Mohammed Al-Shami must pave the way for justice for all victims in Yemen.
Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration (AMHRI)
Yemen& New York, United States
maonah.org
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