UN employee dies in Houthi captivity in Yemen, human rights chief calls for investigation

Muhammed al-Shami, who worked for the UN human rights office in Yemen, had been held captive by the Houthi movement since 2024, the UN said in a statement.

His death reportedly occurred more than a month ago, but al-Shami's relatives did not learn of it until very recently.

Türk said in the statement that no explanation had been given for the "heartbreaking loss" and called for "full transparency from the Houthi-controlled authorities and an urgent, independent and thorough investigation" into how and why Muhammed al-Shami died.

The Iran-backed Houthi movement, which is at war with Yemen's internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government, is holding 71 UN staff members captive, UN spokesman Farhan Haq said earlier in October.