# Houthi crackdown on humanitarian workers in Yemen > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/houthi-crackdown-on-humanitarian-workers-in-yemen > Updated: 2026-11-06T15:46:38.000Z. Sources: 65. Developments: 5. Houthi authorities in Yemen have referred at least eight humanitarian and human rights workers for criminal prosecution. These individuals, including two United Nations employees and a consultant, face charges of “espionage” and “aiding the enemy,” which carry the death penalty under Yemeni law. One notable case involves Dr. Abdul Nasser Al-Rabai, a senior immunization official for the World Health Organization, who was transferred to the Specialized Criminal Prosecution in Sanaa following more than 27 months of detention. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have characterized these legal actions as an escalation in a crackdown on civil society. They report that since May 2024, more than 100 UN staff and civil society workers have been arbitrarily detained. Following the death of Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Shami, an employee of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations has called for an independent investigation. While previously known to have died in detention, new information indicates Al-Shami died on August 21, 2026, due to physical and psychological torture at a secret detention facility north of Sanaa. The Irada Organization for the Prevention of Torture and Enforced Disappearance alleges that Houthi authorities withheld information about his death for months, providing false assurances that he was alive before notifying his family in late October 2026. Concerns regarding detainee safety have intensified as reports emerge that Houthi authorities have moved several prisoners to military facilities, raising fears they may be used as human shields. Additionally, Yemeni Minister of Legal Affairs Ishraq Al-Maqtari reported the abduction of 11 civilians, including educators and nurses, from the Al-Misrakh district in Taiz. ## Claims - More than 70 UN employees are reportedly being held by the Houthi group. (reported by 24 sources) - The Houthi group is accused of holding seven staff members from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. (reported by 3 sources) - Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Shami was an employee of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (reported by 32 sources) - Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, demanded an independent investigation into the death. (reported by 28 sources) - Al-Shami was held in Houthi-controlled prisons in Sanaa. (reported by 23 sources) - Al-Shami's family was reportedly informed of his death only recently, despite him having died over a month prior. (reported by 23 sources) - Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Shami was arrested on June 6, 2024. (reported by 22 sources) - The causes and circumstances of Al-Shami's death have not been disclosed. (reported by 21 sources) - A World Food Programme employee died while in Houthi detention on February 10, 2025. (reported by 11 sources) - The Houthi group justifies the detention of UN staff by alleging they act as spies for the US or Israel. (reported by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-11-06: Yemen: Houthi detention concerns rise following death of UN staffer The death of a UN staffer in Houthi custody and the abduction of 11 civilians in Taiz have sparked urgent calls for international intervention and investigations into human rights violations in Yemen. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yemen-houthi-detention-concerns-rise-following-death-of-un-staffer ### 2026-11-02: UN staffer Mohammad el-Shami dies in Houthi custody The UN demands an investigation after Mohammad el-Shami, a human rights staffer, died in Houthi custody in Yemen following reported torture and prolonged concealment of his death. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/houthi-militia-accused-of-killing-and-detaining-un-staffer-in-yemen ### 2026-10-31: UN staffer Mohammad Al-Shami dies in Houthi custody The UN is demanding an independent investigation after Mohammad Al-Shami, an OHCHR staffer, died in Houthi custody in Yemen after being detained for over two years. 55 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unhcr-employee-dies-in-houthi-detention-in-yemen ### 2026-10-06: Houthi movement faces calls to release UN staff facing death penalty Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are demanding the Houthi movement release UN staff and humanitarian workers facing potential death sentences for alleged espionage in Yemen. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/houthi-movement-faces-calls-to-release-un-staff-facing-death-penalty ### 2026-10-04: Houthi authorities refer UN and aid workers for prosecution in Yemen Houthi authorities in Yemen have referred at least eight UN and humanitarian workers for prosecution on espionage charges that could lead to the death penalty, according to Amnesty International and HumanRights 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/houthi-militia-refers-un-and-civil-society-workers-to-criminal-prosecution --- Cite as: Houthi crackdown on humanitarian workers in Yemen. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/houthi-crackdown-on-humanitarian-workers-in-yemen