The arbitrary detention of Sami Lutfallah Al-Kilabi, a staff member of the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESG-Yemen), and the denial of specialized medical care have placed his life and health at serious risk.

Detained for more than two years without basic procedural safeguards, Al-Kilabi suffers from Crohn’s disease, severe gastrointestinal and renal complications, and a reported cancer diagnosis. His condition requires immediate and unrestricted access to appropriate specialist care. Denying such care to a person in custody violates fundamental protections of the rights to life, health and humane treatment.

Background

On 6 June 2024, armed personnel affiliated with the Security and Intelligence Service in Sana’a raided the residence of Sami Lutfallah Al‑Kilabi, confiscated personal belongings, and apprehended him as part of a broader operation targeting UN staff, international organizations, and local civil society actors.

Following his arrest, Al‑Kilabi was held incommunicado and without legal representation until August 2026, when authorities referred his case—alongside those of other detained UN, health, and civil society workers—to the Specialized Criminal Prosecution in Sana’a. No formal charges or legal basis were disclosed for his two‑year detention prior to this referral.

Medical documentation and testimonies confirm that Al‑Kilabi suffers from Crohn’s disease, with acute gastrointestinal, renal, and neurological complications requiring repeated emergency hospitalization, including a ten‑day period in critical care. Family accounts in late August 2026 further revealed a cancer diagnosis, with prolonged detention conditions severely aggravating his physical and psychological health.

This case unfolds against a broader record of custodial deaths in the region, notably the death of a World Food Programme (WFP) employee in detention in Sana’a in February 2025, underscoring the urgent risks faced by detainees deprived of adequate medical care.

Institutional Position

The prolonged deprivation of liberty and deterioration of health endured by Sami Lutfallah Al‑Kilabi raise grave concerns regarding compliance with international standards on the treatment of detainees. Referral to specialized prosecutorial bodies after more than two years of unacknowledged detention does not remedy prior procedural violations, nor does it meet the requirements of lawful judicial process.

Detaining individuals in conditions that critically undermine their health, while denying access to regular and specialized medical care, is incompatible with the custodial duty of care owed to persons deprived of liberty. Under established legal principles, state authorities bear direct responsibility for the physical integrity and life of all detainees. Restrictive measures must never be applied in ways that amount to secondary punishment or medical neglect, particularly in cases involving diagnosed, life‑threatening conditions.

Applicable Legal Framework

·       International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): Articles 6 and 9 safeguard the inherent right to life and prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention. Article 10 requires that all persons deprived of liberty be treated with humanity and respect for dignity.

·       UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules): Rules 24–35 affirm that health care for detainees is a state responsibility, mandating equal standards of care as in the community, including immediate transfer to specialized institutions or civil hospitals when necessary.

·       Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment: Principles 11, 24, and 38 require prompt medical examination and treatment upon admission to detention, and prohibit subjecting detainees to hardship or pressures incompatible with their physical condition.

·       Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel: Provides explicit protection for individuals serving under UN mandates, obligating host authorities to ensure their safety, security, and immediate release if detained.

Demands Aligned with International Human Rights Standards

Women Journalists Without Chains

Geneva, Switzerland - September 5, 2026