The United Nations said on Tuesday that one of its staff members had died in detention in northern Yemen, where the U.N. has repeatedly called for the Houthi movement to free detained U.N. employees.
The U.N. World Food Programme did not specify when or how its employee, who it said had been detained on January 23 with six others, had died.
The staff member, named by reports only as "Ahmed" (no family name given) was 40 years old
WFP said it is “grief-stricken and outraged” by the death. The UN has repeatedly called on the Houthis to release detained UN staff members.
“Heartbroken and outraged by the tragic loss of WFP team member, Ahmed, who lost his life while arbitrarily detained in Yemen,” WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain wrote on X.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the death, calling for an immediate investigation and for those responsible to be held accountable.
"The circumstances surrounding this deplorable tragedy remain unclear, and the United Nations is urgently seeking explanations from the Houthi de facto authorities," he said in a statement.
The United Nations paused all operations in Yemen's Sa'ada region on Monday after more U.N. staff were detained by the Houthi authorities, deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq said.
"Heartbroken and outraged by the tragic loss of WFP team member, Ahmed, who lost his life while arbitrarily detained in Yemen. A devoted humanitarian and father of 2, he played a crucial role in our mission to deliver lifesaving food assistance," WFP Chief Cindy McCain said in a post on X.
The Iran-aligned Houthis have controlled most populated parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, since seizing power in 2014 and early 2015. Since 2021, the Houthis have detained dozens of U.N. staff. The group now has some 24 U.N. staff in detention.
"Their continued arbitrary detention is unacceptable. I renew my call for their immediate and unconditional release," Guterres said.
Yemen has been the focus of one of the world's largest humanitarian operations during a decade of civil war that disrupted food supplies. WFP says it provided assistance to 15.3 million people, or 47% of the population, in 2023.
Excerpts from Statement by Amnesty International
“This death in custody also heightens fears for the safety and well-being of all others who remain arbitrarily detained in Huthi-run detention centres, including more than 65 staff from UN agencies and Yemeni and international civil society organizations. The de facto Huthi authorities must immediately release all individuals they arbitrarily detain, including those who are being held solely in connection with their human rights or humanitarian work.”
Starting on 31 May 2024 over two weeks, the Huthis conducted a series of raids in areas under their control arbitrarily detaining 13 UN staff and at least 50 staff from Yemeni and international civil society organizations. To date, only three people have been released – one UN staff member and two NGO staff members.
Between 23 and 25 January 2025, the Huthis conducted another wave of arrests arbitrarily detaining eight UN staff, including the UN staff member whose death in detention was reported on 11 February. All the detainees are held without charge and without access to a lawyer or their families.
The U.N. World Food Programme did not specify when or how its employee, who it said had been detained on January 23 with six others, had died.
The staff member, named by reports only as "Ahmed" (no family name given) was 40 years old
WFP said it is “grief-stricken and outraged” by the death. The UN has repeatedly called on the Houthis to release detained UN staff members.
“Heartbroken and outraged by the tragic loss of WFP team member, Ahmed, who lost his life while arbitrarily detained in Yemen,” WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain wrote on X.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the death, calling for an immediate investigation and for those responsible to be held accountable.
"The circumstances surrounding this deplorable tragedy remain unclear, and the United Nations is urgently seeking explanations from the Houthi de facto authorities," he said in a statement.
The United Nations paused all operations in Yemen's Sa'ada region on Monday after more U.N. staff were detained by the Houthi authorities, deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq said.
"Heartbroken and outraged by the tragic loss of WFP team member, Ahmed, who lost his life while arbitrarily detained in Yemen. A devoted humanitarian and father of 2, he played a crucial role in our mission to deliver lifesaving food assistance," WFP Chief Cindy McCain said in a post on X.
The Iran-aligned Houthis have controlled most populated parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, since seizing power in 2014 and early 2015. Since 2021, the Houthis have detained dozens of U.N. staff. The group now has some 24 U.N. staff in detention.
"Their continued arbitrary detention is unacceptable. I renew my call for their immediate and unconditional release," Guterres said.
Excerpts from Statement by Amnesty International
“This death in custody also heightens fears for the safety and well-being of all others who remain arbitrarily detained in Huthi-run detention centres, including more than 65 staff from UN agencies and Yemeni and international civil society organizations. The de facto Huthi authorities must immediately release all individuals they arbitrarily detain, including those who are being held solely in connection with their human rights or humanitarian work.”
Starting on 31 May 2024 over two weeks, the Huthis conducted a series of raids in areas under their control arbitrarily detaining 13 UN staff and at least 50 staff from Yemeni and international civil society organizations. To date, only three people have been released – one UN staff member and two NGO staff members.
Between 23 and 25 January 2025, the Huthis conducted another wave of arrests arbitrarily detaining eight UN staff, including the UN staff member whose death in detention was reported on 11 February. All the detainees are held without charge and without access to a lawyer or their families.
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