IFJ ACCUSES YEMEN OF BROKEN PROMISES AS JOURNALISTS ARE HELD WITHOUT CHARGE
02-09-2010 20:40:12 | Belgium | Press release
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has demanded the
immediate release of two Yemeni journalists who have been held without
charge since 16 August and accused the Yemeni government of broken
promises for backtracking on pledges to allow journalists in the
country to work freely.
Abdelelaah Shaie, a reporter working for the official Yemeni News
Agency (SABA), and Kmal Sharaf, a cartoonist at a state owned
newspaper al-Gomhoriah were both arrested at their homes and taken
into detention by Yemeni National Security. There is no word on
charges that may have been made against them.
The Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate (YJS), an IFJ affiliate, says the
security forces confiscated their computers, mobile phones and other
belongings during the raid. In a statement, the YJS says it has been
barred from visiting the journalists in prison.
"These cases are a scandalous denial of rights," said IFJ President
Jim Boumelha. "We are holding the authorities responsible for the
safety of our colleagues and we demand their release."
Last May and after a year of campaigning led by the YJS and supported
by national and international organization for the release of
imprisoned journalists and protection of press freedom in Yemen,
President Ali Abdullah Saleh ordered the release of jailed journalists
and an end to on-going legal cases against journalists.
Abdelelaah Shaie was arrested one month before his latest arrest and
questioned for several hours by the Yemeni Political Security on
issues related to his work as specialists on reporting on terrorism
and terrorist groups in the country.
"These latest cases illustrate that Yemeni authorities have
backtracked on its commitment to allow journalists to work freely",
said Boumelha. "We demand that the government honours the promise it
has made to journalists and media that it would allow journalists to
work without intimidation or interference."
02 SEPTEMBER 2010
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide